Technology in Social Work Education and Curriculum

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 learningbut 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 experiencedor inexperiencedthey are in dealing with communications technologies.

Vigilante, Florence W; Beaulaurier, Richard L; Haffey, Martha F

- Preface - PART I - Weaving a Web: The Use of Internet Technology in Field Education (Julie Birkenmaier, Stephen P. Wernet, Marla Berg-Weger, R. Jan Wilson, Rebecca Banks, Ralph Olliges, and Timothy A. Delicath) - Achieving High Touch in High Tech: A Constructivist, Emotionally-Oriented Model of Web-Based Instruction (Robert J. MacFadden, Marilyn A. Herie, Sarah Maiter, and Gary Dumbrill) - Using Qualitative Data Analysis Software in Teaching About Group Work Practice (Mark J. Macgowan and Richard L. Beaulaurier) - Electronic Advocacy and Social Welfare Policy Education (Sung Seek Moon and Kevin L. DeWeaver) - Assessing the Virtual Classroom of a Graduate Social Policy Course (Maria Roberts-DeGennaro and John Clapp) - PART II - The Transition from Traditional Teaching to Web-Assisted Technology (Andy J. Frey and Anna C. Faul) - An Evaluation of On-Line, Interactive Tutorials Designed to Teach Practice Concepts (Brett A. Seabury) - Linking Social Work Students to the Wider World via an Asynchronous Learning Network (Susan Sarnoff) - Responding to CSWE Technology Guidelines: A Literature Review and Four Approaches to Computerization (Richard L. Beaulaurier and Matthew A. Radisch) - PART III - Integrating Computer Content into Social Work Curricula: A Model for Planning (Richard L. Beaulaurier) - Consulting Behaviors and the Role of Computer Consultants in Student Learning and Anxiety (Richard L. Beaulaurier and Samuel H. Taylor) - The Diffusion of Information Technology in the Human Services: Implications for Social Work Education (Dale Fitch) - Index - Reference Notes Included