Internet-Based Instruction as an Innovative Approach to Managing Prerequisite Curriculum Content in a Graduate Social Work Program

SUMMARY

Students admitted to graduate social work programs possess varying levels of understanding of prerequisite curriculum content. Compounding this situation is that social work educators teaching at the foundation level are now required to provide an expanded array of curriculum content in their courses. This article conceptualizes an Internet-Based orientation course as a unique tool for preparing students with prerequisite curriculum content necessary for successful integration and mastery of a graduate curriculum. Several steps are presented in the design and development of the course: obtaining support and approval, identifying and collecting data, designing and developing course components, and implementing and evaluating the course. Although course development occurs within a social work education setting, findings from this Internet-Based orientation course are applicable to other educational and human service settings.     

Using Computers in Community Educational Programs

Summary

This article offers some theoretical and practical advice for using computers in educational settings. The primary focus is out-of-school settings for school-aged children; however, many of the points arc applicable to other educational settings and for other ages. The primary message is that computers should be viewed as tools to help students explore and understand particular educational content, The article discusses several principles and guidelines for using computers this way. It also offers practical suggestions about staff development and funding of computer-based educational programs. It concludes with some reflections about a perspective from which to continue developing useful applications.     

Ben's Grille

Summary

Advantages of computer-based alcohol education over traditional written materials in improving alcohol related behavior are presented in this article. The program, “Ben's Grille” was created to promote public awareness of issues relating to the use and abuse of alcohol The program is described in detail along with directions for use. One component of the program, an interactive drama, is the focus of this article. Characters from which a play can select to play are described. Methods used in obtaining feedback about the game are specified. The author concludes that both students and teachers have had positive reactions to the program.     

Facilitating Online Learning Communities: A Comparison of Two Discussion Facilitation Techniques

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.     

Faculty Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Web-Based Instruction in Social Work Education: A National Study

SUMMARY

This paper presents the findings of a national study that examined the perceptions of faculty with Web-based teaching experience concerning the effectiveness of Web-based instruction as compared to face-to-face instruction in social work education. The findings suggest that faculty perceived face-to-face instruction to be more effective than Web-based instruction in all curriculum areas. However, the extent of perceived effectiveness of Web-based instruction varied by curriculum area. Also, online teaching in areas such as practice was viewed as least effective, suggesting that the traditional “no significant difference” conclusions between face-to-face and online teaching need to be examined more closely.     

Comprehensive Sexuality Education as a Means of Promoting Sexual Health

ABSTRACT

Various international declarations have called for universal access to comprehensive sexuality education. This article looks at why comprehensive sexuality education is most effective in promoting sexual health and why it should be framed in terms of health, values, development and rights. The lack of recognition of young people as sexual beings and the return of abstinence-only sexuality education are two main challenges for rights-based, comprehensive sexuality education. To address these challenges, stronger international responses are needed to make sexuality education a comprehensive initiative supported by all, both in the community and at the international level. In order to move the agenda forward for better sexuality education, a positive approach that accepts sexual desire and pleasure as essential components of young people's sexuality should be the next step.     

Pilot of a Computer-Based Brief Multiple–Health Behavior Intervention for College Students

Abstract

Objective: Given the documented multiple health risks college students engage in, and the dearth of effective programs addressing them, the authors developed a computer-based brief multiple–health behavior intervention. This study reports immediate outcomes and feasibility of a pilot of this program. Participants: Two hundred students attending a midsized university participated. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control program, both delivered via computer. Immediate feedback was collected with the computer program. Results: Results indicate that the intervention had an early positive impact on alcohol and cigarette use intentions, as well as related constructs underlying the Behavior-Image Model specific to each of the 3 substances measured. Based on the implementation process, the program proved to be feasible to use and acceptable to the population. Conclusion: Results support the potential efficacy of the intervention to positively impact behavioral intentions and linkages between health promoting and damaging behaviors among college students.     

Social Work Field Education as Social Development

SUMMARY

This article will discuss social development models and their application to the establishment of social work field education in Lithuania. A model of field education as social development is presented and discussed, with reference to promoting core social work knowledge, values and skills, establishing relationships between educational and social welfare institutions, and identifying the impact of field education programs on community well-being. Examples from the authors' experience in educational program development and implementation are presented, along with implications for international social work education.     

Distance Education Alumni: How Far Have They Gone?

SUMMARY

This evaluation compared 34 distance education (DE) and 38 on-campus alumni regarding employment-related outcomes; professional activities; satisfaction with MSW program components; and development of knowledge, skills, and values. Findings showed equivalent outcomes in most respects. DE alumni were generally positive about the extent to which the program enabled them to develop professionally.     

Information Technology and Social Work Education in Malaysia

SUMMARY

Given the current stage of development of social work in Malaysia, the potential of harnessing the advancements in information technology (IT) for the development of social work education in Malaysia is immense. However, there are multiple barriers to cross before reaching this potential.     

“Talking It Out”: A Computer-Based Mediation Process for Adolescents

SUMMARY

This article describes the development of a multimedia mediation program (“Talking It Out”) that helps young adolescents resolve conflict peacefully. The development and content are described, together with pilot test data from 16 pairs of disputing students. These case studies provide evidence of the popularity and effectiveness of computer-based mediation.     

Perceived Continuing Education Needs and Job Relevance of Health Education Competencies Among Health Education and Promotion Practitioners in College Health Settings

Objective and Participants: The author conducted this study to determine college health education and promotion practitioners' perceived continuing education needs and perceived job relevance in relation to national health education responsibilities and competencies. Methods: In Spring 2006, the author invited college health education and promotion professionals to participate in an online survey, using 3 listservs. Of 276 individuals visiting the Web site, 141 participants completed the survey (51%). Participants rated their perceived training needs and job relevance for the 35 National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) competencies as well as preferred training formats. Results: Participants identified the following competencies as those in which they needed additional training: designing data-collection instruments, securing fiscal resources, interpreting evaluation and research results, carrying out evaluation and research plans, and developing plans for evaluation and research. They identified the following competencies as being the most relevant to their jobs: demonstrating a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs; using a variety of methods to implement strategies, interventions, and programs; initiating a plan of action; and using health-related information resources. The most preferred methods of obtaining additional continuing education were attending the American College Health Association annual meeting (67%) and completing home self-study print materials (67%). Conclusions: Collegiate professional organizations should offer a variety of continuing education opportunities centering on NCHEC competencies, specifically those perceived as needed by study participants.     

Facilitating Interactions Among Students and Faculty via Web-Based Conferencing Systems

SUMMARY

The authors describe a Web-based conferencing system for graduate and undergraduate students in educational psychology which illustrates the wide range of communication possibilities of such a system. Students, faculty, and practitioners experience increased and beneficial communication by using this system.     

Thinking systemically about fieldwork education—A third way

Abstract

This paper reviews fieldwork education initiatives in a number of Australian States and New Zealand and within the United Kingdom throughout the 1990s. This provides the context for a review of parallel developments of fieldwork education in Western Australia—including the development of a Joint Schools/AASW/Employing Agencies Coordinating Committee, a fieldwork syllabus, two levels of professional supervision training and an enhanced fieldwork assessment manual. As a contrast to the government-driven initiatives in fieldwork education in the UK and the prescribed profession/school of social work-driven requirements in the Australian/New Zealand literature, a community development model of working systemically with multiple stakeholders is presented as a third way in which a multi-layered change initiative is developed, implemented and reviewed. The writer argues for greater attention to core practice tasks and to rigorous assessment processes within fieldwork education, and the active involvement of industry, as essential for educating competent and confident social workers.     

Film in History Education: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

This article charts the ways in which film has been included in history education over time and the research that has accompanied this. Through an analysis of historical development, current strands of educational research are realigned according to Epstein’s theory of historical perspectives. Following this, the article presents a thorough critique of research on film in history education and suggests a path for future research based on an informed appreciation of the past.     

Introduction

ABSTRACT

The paper considers the levels of coherence and dissonance between the education and training needs of social work practitioners working in a virtual environment and the focus of the requirements and learning and teaching approaches currently in use on social work programmes within education settings in England. The paper argues a gap exists in the way information and communication skills are currently conceptualised to support the education and training of social workers. It appears that e-learning is often considered in relation to its functional advantages and that similarly ICT skills are considered in terms of computer program literacy. The much wider question of the development of competence for virtual practice and how e-learning may support this development require much greater consideration and application.     

‘It simplifies research!’: impact of a song lyrics exercise among MSW students

ABSTRACT

The use of pop culture sources in social work education enhances the learning of MSW students in the human behavior, policy and diversity courses. Pop culture sources can enhance learning because of the potential for a quicker recall of content, revealing hidden talents and sophisticated understanding of the concepts, and making the assignments more enjoyable for students. However, the impact of utilizing pop culture sources among MSW students in research courses remains unknown. It is imperative that contemporary teaching modalities be implemented in research courses because MSW students have mixed feelings about taking research classes and conducting research of their own. The purpose of this article is to report findings of the implementation of a pop culture source-analyzing song lyrics-in an introductory MSW research class at one university in the USA. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from (N = 17) MSW students. Findings lend support to utilizing the song lyrics exercise, as students reported enhanced self-efficacy and knowledge of the research process. Future research should assess the impact of this activity with larger samples.     

Hypermedia Computer-Based Education in Social Work Education

Abstract

Hypermedia computer-based education (CBE) is an emerging information technology that makes possible user-directed, nonsequential exploration of, and interaction with, information presented through a variety of media including text, animation, graphics, sound, and video. This article describes hypermedia CBE and briefly reviews the research on its instructional efficacy. A synopsis of the theoretical foundation covers cognitive theory concepts of information networks and associative learning, web teaching principles, andragogical theory as it relates to social work education, and hypermedia CBE structure. Examples of current and potential applications in social work education demonstrate that hypermedia CBE can emulate the dynamic, iterative learning process of knowledge acquisition, knowledge testing, and content integration through practice simulation.     

Changing to Learn

SUMMARY

This paper provides an overview of the use of “communication and information technologies' (C&IT) in social work education in Britain. It outlines the development of the use of “learning technologies' generally, and focuses specifically, on the impact of “learning technology' in social work education and training. It looks at various factors influential in achieving, or blocking, cultural change in higher education, which may be of interest to social work educators in other countries.