Showing papers in "Journal of Technology in Human Services in 2007"
TL;DR: In this article, extraversion, neuroticism, and gender were investigated as predictors of online counseling help-seeking behavior in a total of 176 college student participants, 30 men and 146 women, were given the N...
Abstract: Extraversion, neuroticism, and gender as predictors of online counseling help-seeking behavior were investigated. A total of 176 college student participants, 30 men and 146 women, were given the N...
55 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that more attention needs to be paid to the tailoring of technology to the preferences of this older age group and barriers to use of technology include lack of interest, need for training and consumer assistance, and design problems.
Abstract: This paper reviews the advances in gerontechnology and describes determinants of interest levels in new technologies among older persons and their caregivers. The first section presents a literature review of new technologies. We then examine the result of two focus groups we conducted on technology, one with elderly people living in an independent living apartment building, and one with caregivers in a special care unit. Focus group results revealed that the elderly participants had mixed attitudes toward technology, although most participants had interest in specific technologies for everyday use. Caregivers were similarly interested in specific types of technology, especially to assist with activities of daily living. Finally, barriers to use of technology are described and include lack of interest, need for training and consumer assistance, and design problems. We conclude that more attention needs to be paid to the tailoring of technology to the preferences of this older age group.
45 citations
Abstract: SUMMARY This paper provides a summary of the findings from in-depth interviews with thirty social work educators and administrators involved in developing and offering e-learning in their programs in Canada. Using qualitative data analysis, four interrelated categories were developed: Professional Challenges, Pedagogical Challenges, Faculty Challenges and Administrative Challenges. A large number of issues were identified in each of these categories. Six themes emerged from the study. These themes form a two-part framework for examining policy issues and implementation tasks. The findings have pedagogical and policy implications for social work educators who are implementing e-learning in their programs.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that these mainstream conceptions of knowledge in knowledge management do not fully fit with that of social work knowledge, and that a spectrum view may be more useful for future practice and inquiry in the area.
Abstract: SUMMARY Knowledge management (KM) is receiving increasing attention in the human services such as social work. Social service organizations have started to use information and communication technology for knowledge management purposes with the aim of improving service efficiency and effectiveness. Existing KM studies, particularly in the commercial or industrial sectors, mainly focus on the reductionistic “knowledge-as-object” view, while other perspectives such as “knowledge-as-process” are less discussed. This paper argues that these mainstream conceptions of knowledge in KM do not fully fit with that of social work knowledge, and that a spectrum view may be more useful for future practice and inquiry in the area.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored worker characteristics that may interact with organizational factors in influencing data system utilization and found that worker skill and experience with computers accounted for a large part of the variance on the utilization of information systems followed by the user-friendliness of the system and the workers' beliefs that data are useful in their work.
Abstract: There is increasing pressure on social service agencies to produce “results,” and often agency computer information systems are associated with efforts to do so. The current study explores worker characteristics that may interact with organizational factors in influencing data system utilization. A survey of 245 community social workers serving as field instructors was conducted. Worker skill and experience with computers accounted for a large part of the variance on the utilization of information systems followed by the user-friendliness of the system and the workers' beliefs that data are useful in their work. The findings suggest that organizations seeking to increase worker utilization of information systems will need to focus on enhancing worker's computer skills as well as assuring that the information is easy to use and is perceived as useful by workers.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the strategic value and the effectiveness of digital government where it concerns enhancing citizen participation and social inclusion, including the view of management and ICT strategists; social and cultural implications; the implications of digital inclusion/exclusion and e-readiness upon social inclusion; and the citizens' view of the success of digitalGovernment in enhancing public access to information and transparency.
Abstract: SUMMARY Over the past few years, there has been much debate over the effectiveness of digital government. This paper addresses the strategic value and the effectiveness of digital government where it concerns enhancing citizen participation and social inclusion. It involves examining four specific facets of “effectiveness”–including: the view of management and ICT strategists; social and cultural implications; the implications of digital inclusion/exclusion and e-readiness upon social inclusion; and the citizens' view of the success of digital government in enhancing public access to information and transparency–based on a pilot study of digital government initiatives by local government in New Zealand.
23 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a CEO model that incorporates consideration of emotion in web-based education is presented along with recent findings from an e-focus group that asked participants, who had just completed a webbased course, about their perceptions of emotions in online education.
Abstract: SUMMARY This paper explores the neglected role of emotion in education and particularly of emotion in online education. It presents some historical considerations concerning emotion, and some recent findings on brain research, emotion and learning. A CEO model that incorporates consideration of emotion in web-based education is presented along with recent findings from an e-focus group that asked participants, who had just completed a web-based course, about their perceptions of emotions in online education. It concludes with a summary of early findings and suggestions for those developing and conducting web-based courses on how to incorporate emotions into web-based learning.
19 citations
TL;DR: The authors compared two distinct approaches to facilitating discussions in relation to participation rates, interaction patterns, depth of cognitive processing, and learning outcomes in two sections of an online course and found significant differences between sections (N = 41) in the frequency and types of interaction among students as well as in learning outcomes.
Abstract: The advent of the twenty-first century has brought a proliferation of web-based courses in higher education. While prior studies have examined the comparability of online and traditional courses, a better understanding of effective pedagogical strategies to enhance online learning is needed. This study compared two distinct approaches to facilitating discussions in relation to participation rates, interaction patterns, depth of cognitive processing, and learning outcomes in two sections of an online course. Significant differences were found between sections (N = 41) in the frequency and types of interaction among students as well as in learning outcomes.
17 citations
TL;DR: This article conducted a qualitative study among faculty and MSW graduates working at local human service agencies to answer the following exploratory research questions: (1) What is the technology content of an MSW Curriculum? (2) What are the purpose of the technology contents in an MSw curriculum? (3) What was the amount of technology use in human services agencies by MSWs? (4) When MSWs first come to human service agency, do they have the technological competence needed? (5) What skill...
Abstract: SUMMARY In the past several years, Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs around the nation (USA) have been adding technology courses to their curriculums, suggesting the need for more technology education in MSW programs. Literature reviews of attitudes of social work faculty and social workers indicate a historic trend of resistance to use of technology in the field. In order to better understand the purpose of technology content in MSW curriculums and how it relates to social workers' use of technology in the field, this research project does a qualitative study among faculty and MSW graduates working at local human service agencies to answer the following exploratory research questions: (1) What is the technology content of an MSW Curriculum? (2) What is the purpose of the technology content in an MSW Curriculum? (3) What is the amount of technology use in human service agencies by MSWs? (4) When MSWs first come to human service agencies, do they have the technological competence needed? (5) What skill...
14 citations
TL;DR: This paper explores the rationale for a learning object approach to e-learning and reflects on early experiences in developing a national learning object repository for social work education in Scotland.
Abstract: SUMMARY Learning objects are bite-sized digital learning resources designed to tackle the e-learning adoption problem by virtue of their scale, adaptability, and interoperability. The learning object approach advocates the creation of small e-learning resources rather than whole courses: resources that can be mixed and matched; used in a traditional or online learning environment; and adapted for reuse in other discipline areas and in other countries. Storing learning objects within a subject specific digital repository to enable search, discovery, sharing and use adds considerable value to the model. This paper explores the rationale for a learning object approach to e-learning and reflects on early experiences in developing a national learning object repository for social work education in Scotland.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the concept of human interface is defined as a human interface issue and the entire area of disability access, including the definition of accessibility and assistive technology, will need to be rethought as will the strategies that have been used in the past to create access.
Abstract: SUMMARY Recent advances in information technology, networking and interface research have provided new tools which will allow us to completely redefine the concept of interface. Rather than just being able to use the interface that comes with a product, we can now predict interfaces that adapt themselves to the user, and the ability to use alternate interfaces and devices in lieu of the interface that ships with the product. Also, since accessibility is essentially a human interface issue, the entire area of disability access, including the definition of accessibility and of assistive technology, will need to be rethought as will the strategies that have been used in the past to create access. These concepts will not go away, but their character will change substantially as well as their potential.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of Internet self-efficacy and outcome expectations in the elderly's usage of the Internet through a two-part study was discussed by collaborating with three non-government organizations (NGOs) for which funding was received from one government unit and a local charitable organization.
Abstract: SUMMARY This paper discusses the role of Internet self-efficacy and outcome expectations in the elderly's usage of the Internet through a two-part study. The researchers conducted this study by collaborating with three non-government organizations (NGOs) for which funding was received from one government unit and a large local charitable organization. A new theoretical model was developed to examine the influence of Internet self-efficacy and outcome expectations on usage intention and perceived user competence. Behavioral modeling training courses were offered to mature adults aged 50 and above in two separate studies over a year. Questionnaire surveys and cognitive knowledge assessments were conducted. In general, the findings in the two studies validated the impacts of Internet self-efficacy and outcome expectations on usage intention. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe state transition analysis (STA) as a set of techniques for mapping service networks across multiple agency databases and demonstrate the application of STA to a child welfare longitudinal dataset (N = 3,883 children) spanning 18 different types of services.
Abstract: Most social work services rely on networks of referrals, yet tools for accessing and utilizing information technology across agencies is unavailable. This puts decision makers at a disadvantage when it comes to program evaluation, planning, and policy design. In this paper, we describe state-transition analysis (STA) as a set of techniques for mapping service networks across multiple agency databases. We then demonstrate the application of STA to a child welfare longitudinal dataset (N = 3,883 children) spanning 18 different types of services. The results include a simplified map of the service network from child welfare to juvenile justice, and an improved Cox regression model based on the service network map. Implications for information technology and knowledge management applications spanning multiple agencies and evidence-based practice are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore differences between Indigenous knowledge and Western/European ways of knowing, and consider the pedagogical implications for Web-based learning, and argue that instructors need to be sensitive to ways Western or European knowledge subjugates other forms of knowledge by sittinguating itself as "the" way of knowing rather than "a" way.
Abstract: SUMMARY This paper explores differences between Indigenous knowledge and Western/European ways of knowing, and considers the pedagogical implications for Web-based learning. Moving beyond a simple examination of the nature of Indigenous knowledge, this paper explores ways that “education” has been used by colonizers to subjugate Aboriginal peoples. Outlining ways to avoid colonization, this paper contends that rather than simply being sensitive to the nature of Indigenous knowledge when designing Web-based education, instructors need to be sensitive to ways Western/European knowledge subjugates other forms of knowledge by situating itself as “the” way of knowing rather than “a” way of knowing.
TL;DR: A usability test of a distance continuing education website for human service professionals is discussed, highlighting the importance of stakeholder's involvement in the early stages of website design.
Abstract: A usability test of a distance continuing education website for human service professionals is discussed. The website's purpose was to help meet the continuing education needs of human service professionals in a largely rural Midwestern state. The purpose of the usability evaluation was to assess the website's ease of use, efficiency, and user satisfaction in a representative sample of human service professionals. Users completed eleven basic search tasks with the site and report their impressions of the information presented. In addition, performance data including success, time on task, and efficiency were gathered. Implications of user satisfaction and performance data highlight the importance of stakeholder's involvement in the early stages of website design.
TL;DR: A grade moderation system was set up to address the issue of fairness in assessment, and a feedback system was built to enhance the quality of teaching using students' survey data.
Abstract: SUMMARY One of the thorny issues in social work practicum training is how to maintain fairness in assessment. To address this issue, a grade moderation system was set up. Digital practicum portfolios and on-line assessment were used through the Web CT platform. Two amendments were made: (1) password control to protect access rights and privacy; (2) assessment data transfer through Common Gateway Interface (CGI) to conduct automatic descriptive statistical analysis for monitoring possible deviations from the grading standard. A feedback system was built to enhance the quality of teaching using students' survey data. To promote the quality of learning in this individualized teaching mode, the Social Work Practice Teaching, Learning, and Research site was constructed.
TL;DR: A multilingual communication tool that has been designed for helping in the communication needs of people with severe speech and multiple disorders and is being field tested at the schools for the children with cerebral palsy in India.
Abstract: SUMMARY The paper presents a multilingual communication tool that has been designed for helping in the communication needs of people with severe speech and multiple disorders. The system accepts icons, selected through special access switches, as input and can form natural language sentences, which can be spoken out using in-built text-to-speech synthesizer. The system has been deployed and is being field tested at the schools for the children with cerebral palsy in India.
TL;DR: The development process along with the lessons learned and future directions of SubstanceAbusePrevention.org are described, useful for those wanting to design and develop interactive Websites that address human service problems.
Abstract: SubstanceAbusePrevention.org, a virtual Community, is a 3.5-year project initially funded by the US Department of Commerce, Technology Opportunity Program. Its purpose was “to determine what proven components of substance abuse prevention in ‘real’ communities can be effectively transferred into ‘virtual’ communities.” Teens in drug treatment helped university researchers translate resiliency-based prevention practices into a Web site that would appeal to their peers. The 24 strategies tested fall in the categories of prevention exercises, games, multimedia, and information. This article describes the development process along with the lessons learned and future directions. The information is useful for those wanting to design and develop interactive Websites that address human service problems.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the lessons learned from one such course offered by instructors located in Texas and Hong Kong to students residing in Shanghai studying in a collaborative Master of Social Service Management Programme (MSSM) between HKU and Fudan University.
Abstract: SUMMARY Web-based teaching opens new opportunities for international collaboration in offering courses to students. It also allows students to attend courses offered by instructors situated outside their own country. This paper presents the lessons learned from one such course offered by instructors located in Texas and Hong Kong to students residing in Shanghai studying in a collaborative Master of Social Service Management Programme (MSSM) between HKU and Fudan University. The course, titled “Information and Communication Technology for Social Service Organizations,” was offered twice in the past two years using an Internet-based class chat room supported by a course website and other web based tools. While the offering was successful based on student evaluations, many problems and issues had to be addressed. The course background, learning outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations are presented. In addition, an analysis of the Shanghai student IT applications is provided to help understand ...
TL;DR: A survey of 470 social workers in 17 agencies in central Pennsylvania explored attitudes and behaviors related to receiving unsolicited e-mail (UE) and found that receiving UE is not an uncommon occurrence as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A survey of 470 social workers in 17 agencies in central Pennsylvania explored attitudes and behaviors related to receiving unsolicited e-mail (UE). Results found that receiving UE is not an uncommon occurrence, with more than one-half of social workers receiving UE from strangers and one in six receiving UE from consumers. Social workers differed in their responses to UE, with approximately three-fourths answering UE from consumers and one-fourth answering UE from strangers. Responses to UE were related to individual attitudes as well as to agency policy. There is considerable variation in agency policy and only 60% of the social workers in this study knew whether their agency had an e-mail policy and only 15% knew if the policy included UE. Implications for agency policy and further research are discussed.
TL;DR: The database design described in this article attempts to remedy some of the issues of agency databases–specifically, having to enter identical client information more than one time, not having a way to capture complex family relationships, and not being mindful of ideal database design principles, particularly the concept of database normalization.
Abstract: Social workers oftentimes experience a disconnect between the work they do and how that work is captured by agency databases. The database design described in this article attempts to remedy some of those issues–specifically, having to enter identical client information more than one time, not having a way to capture complex family relationships, and not having a way to capture evolving client relationships over time–while being mindful of ideal database design principles, particularly the concept of database normalization. This alternative design grew out of an ongoing research project and is discussed with in the context of one of the involved agencies.
TL;DR: Web Course Tools (Web CT) as discussed by the authors is a leading software of integrated e-learning systems for higher education and was designed as a tool to enhance classroom teaching and learning but the question is, could it be used for other purposes?
Abstract: SUMMARY Web CT (Web Course Tools) is a leading software of integrated e-learning systems for higher education. It was designed as a tool to enhance classroom teaching and learning but the question is, could it be used for other purposes? When a breakdown of department communications occurred, other interventive strategies were developed that included Web CT to improve communication strategies. Utilizing the same criteria to enhance classroom teaching, Web CT was used to promote intradepartmental communications and cooperation. Results of this experiment were mixed but this was not a reflection from the use of the software as a tool, rather from resistance to its use. Web CT proved to be a good tool for improved management and communications. In addition, other management applications for the software also emerged.
TL;DR: Results of the access to the site, e-mail consultation, and collaboration with other web-masters and researchers for about 10 years showed the effectiveness of the website, especially the importance of interactive and worldwide exchange of disability-related information.
Abstract: SUMMARY In this paper, the author reports information regarding a Japanese website which was named “SenSui.” It was established in 1995 and has been managed since then to provide Japanese disability information to Japanese and other global citizens in a bilingual form. Results of the access to the site, e-mail consultation, and collaboration with other web-masters and researchers for about 10 years showed the effectiveness of the site, especially the importance of interactive and worldwide exchange of disability-related information.