Gain practical knowledge of the latest technological innovations in social work! This comprehensive book examines the role of technology in four areas: information management, distance education evaluation, video- and web-based learning and training, and working with vulnerable populations. New Advances in Technology for Social Work Education and Practice discusses constructive, proven applications of technology in settings from modern universities to rural India. The empirical research and case studies presented here offer practical suggestions for implementing effective technological solutions tailored to the needs of social workers and their clients.New Advances in Technology for Social Work Education and Practice includes useful strategies for creating user-friendly systems, including: involving practitioners in systems design and evaluation dealing with political issues choosing effective instructors for distance education developing multimedia testing for supervisor training designing Web pages for users with disabilities
Expand the scope of your social work practice or education program! Computers and Information Technology in Social Work: Education, Training, and Practice discusses the impact that recent technological advances have had on social work practice and education. This unique book covers a wide range of topics for social workers and educators highlighting various aspects of technology applied to assist those in helping professions. You'll learn how computers can be used in child protective cases and the benefits of videoconferencing in social work programs. Computers and Information Technology in Social Work will show you how new advances in technology can improve your social work practice or education program. Computers and Information Technology in Social Work examines many different aspects of technology and demonstrates how they can be applied to assist you in making a positive impact on the communities, clients, and organizations that you serve. This guide offers specific methods and suggestions for providing students with better services and enhanced instruction on the use of current technologies in social work practice. Computers and Information Technology in Social Work is packed with innovative concepts that will improve your effectiveness through the use of advanced technology. You will: discover the impact that video conferencing technology can have on the delivery of social services to rural populations and undeveloped areas of the world gain insight into the lives of isolated and vulnerable people, such as those in a breast cancer support group, who can directly benefit from technological advances like video conferencing learn how television can be used by social work practitioners to positively impact communities by providing programs that teach self-advocacy and provide outreach and peer support examine World Wide Web-based instructional resources to help students access information on their own time, at their own pace, and from any computer location discover a World Wide Web-based conferencing program that allows professors expanded opportunities for teaching, learning, and communication Derived from papers that were presented at a week-long conference sponsored by the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, Computers and Information Technology in Social Work presents exciting and innovative ideas and projects to keep you abreast of technical developments in the field and how they can best assist your practice. The unique ideas presented in this book will enable you to provide more effective services to your clients with the help of information technology.
This book was written to help social work educators make pedagogically sound, rational, practical, and ethical decisions about integrating technology into their social work programs and across the curriculum. It covers a range of essential topics, from understanding digital literacy skills to ethical implications for technology in social work practice; from technology in the traditional classroom to fully online teaching environments. Case studies, real-world examples, and technology tips are part of each chapter, and checklists show how technology is integrated with the Council on Social Work Education's EPAS competencies, the NASW's Code of Ethics, and other social work practice standards and guidelines. Appendices provide a wealth of practical materials.
In a digitally powered society, social workers are frequently challenged to embrace new interventions and enhance existing strategies in order to effectively promote social justice. The cases in this volume present engaging examples of technology tools in use across micro, mezzo, and macro practice, thereby illuminating the knowledge, skills, and values required of those who practice social work 2.0.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed fresh light on the ways that social media and digital technologies can be effectively harnessed to support relationship-based social work practice. However, it has also highlighted the complex risks, ethics and practical challenges that such technologies pose. This book helps practitioners and students navigate this complex terrain and explore and build upon its multiple opportunities. It uses real-life examples to examine how practitioners can assess the impact of new technologies on their professional conduct and use them in a way that enhance public confidence and relationship-based practice. The authors explore how digital technologies can support multiple areas of service including social work with children, families and adults, mental health social work, youth justice and working with online communities. They also consider regulatory questions and provide a roadmap for good practice.
Offers peer-reviewed annotated bibliographies on social work as a discipline grounded in social theory and the improvement of peoples' lives. Bibliographies are browseable by subject area and keyword searchable. Contains a "My OBO" function that allows users to create personalized bibliographies of individual citations from different bibliographies.
Days in the Lives of Social Workers is a collection of first-person narratives describing typical days in the lives of 62 social workers in a variety of settings and roles. Appendices list organizations, websites, government resources, social media, blogs, and podcasts related to social work.
Excellent social work education and training is vital for ensuring best practice, and it is important to understand the key approaches and methods in order to provide the best teaching and ensure effective learning. This volume provides an overview of social work education, including the background and current context. It covers the key debates surrounding social work education, such as the evaluation of social work education, the use of IT, research-mindedness, and the effectiveness of interdisciplinary education. The book also offers guidance on effective teaching and learning approaches tailored to the needs of social work educators, covering teaching within a higher education institution, on student practice placements, and in post-qualifying settings. This will be an indispensable text for educators and trainers in the field of social work.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become an integral part of social and working lives. Within social work ICTs play a vital role, helping professionals to store and share information and contributing to new forms of practice. This book goes a step further than simply describing ICT skills, but asks why ICT is used and how this affects practice and the experience of people who use services. The book has a practical focus and includes guidance on: Best Practice for Social Work and ICT ICT Use in Social Work Service Users, Carers and ICT Technology and Professional Practice ICT and Social Work Agencies Social Work Programmes in the Virtual World ICT and Practice Based Learning Written in a student-friendly style, Social Work and ICT is interspersed with activities and exercises to enable students to develop their skills and knowledge. Each chapter also includes a ′Taking it Further′ section with useful websites, suggestions for further reading and ideas to improve practice. The book has been designed to enhance professional practice and it will be essential reading for all undergraduate programmes in social work.
Save time and trouble as you incorporate technology into your social work curriculum The dramatic increase in the use of computers and other forms of technology in social work education and practice has educators, trainers, and administrators investing valuable time, money, and effort into trying to make the transition from traditional teaching to a Web-assisted learning environment. Technology in Social Work Education and Curriculum takes the mystery out of the online experience with practical information on using technology to enhance and enrich learning—but not at the expense of the “human” approach to social work. This unique book presents a variety of creative and interesting methods for incorporating technology that’s affordable and user-friendly, and for developing online skills that won’t become obsolete as computer hardware and software evolves. Technology in Social Work Education and Curriculum transforms technology into an everyday resource for agency field instructors, human service educators, trainers, and social work administrators. The book addresses concerns that educators with limited technical skills may have in using technology to teach cultural competency, group work, research, direct practice, social policy and advocacy, and field practicum, presenting hands-on approaches that are innovative but accessible. And by focusing on approaches rather than simply reviewing available hardware and software, the book provides you with background knowledge that makes it easier for you to successfully incorporate online learning into the classroom. Technology in Social Work Education and Curriculum examines using instructional technology to emotionally engage students in the learning process using digital video and qualitative data analysis software to teach group practice the role technology plays in advocacy distance-education technologies in policy education incorporating Web-assisted learning into a traditional classroom setting the advantages of distance education over more conventional approaches a model for planning the use and integration of computer technology in schools of social work how the behaviors of computer consultants can affect the students who seek their help using innovation diffusion theory in technology planning and much more! Social workers have traditionally embraced the latest technologies and scientific developments since the earliest days of the profession. Technology in Social Work Education and Curriculum helps continue that tradition, offering invaluable guidance to educators and administrators, no matter how experienced—or inexperienced—they are in dealing with communications technologies.
