Issues in the Introduction of Computer and Information Technology in Human Services

Abstract

The introduction of computers and information technology into the human services requires that particular attention be paid to a number of issues. These include the need for mastery of substantive content prior to introduction of the technology, the definition of computer literacy appropriate to the field, the relative importance of micro- and mainframe computing for practitioners, creation of an adequate reward system for system development, and proper consideration for the sensitive issue of who controls the technology within human services.     

后现代知识观与计算机专业教育质量

教什么和怎么教,是大学教育教学改革的核心问题。后现代知识观认为,知识具有文化性、价值性、相对性和情境性,学习的本质是双向建构。应用后现代知识观,改革高校计算机专业教育的教学模式,把专业技术教学设计为帮助学生实现知识建构的过程,是提高计算机专业教育质量的根本途径。     

IT and Knowledge Development in Human Services

ABSTRACT

The role of computers in knowledge developments is explored from two perspectives: the computer as a tool to enhance knowledge development and the computer as a major influence or paradigm affecting the nature and structure of knowledge development. As a tool_s the computer is without precedence, continually transforming to meet current and future knowledge needs. Examples of this are provided. As a paradigm, the computer will support the positivistic development of knowledge, emphasizing structure, taxonomies and operational definitions. Computers, however, also offer the potential to develop knowledge through other, more exploratory, creative and intuitive ways. In summary, computers will respond to meet the challenge of pluralism in knowledge development and our many ways of knowing.     

Human Services and the Ethics of Computer Matching

Abstract

Computer matching has been extensively used by government, primarily as a means of cost-savings and fraud detection. Despite concerns about the invasion of privacy, clear ethical standards about computer matching have not been established. However, a study of past matching practices reveals an implied set of principles. Efficiency is valued over privacy. Welfare clients and government employees are viewed as having sacrificed the right to privacy. Some due process protections are viewed as legitimate but have not been well-implemented. The newly-passed Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (PL 100-503) strengthens these due process protections.     

Defining Computer Literacy in Human Services

Abstract

Computer literacy in human services is defined as an intersection of both computer and human services abilities. With different levels of ability possible, a matrix is created which can be used to operationally define computer literacy within any area of human service practice. Child protective work is used to demonstrate the utility of this definitional approach. Various issues within computer literacy are also discussed.     

Geographic Information Systems and Human Services

Geographic Information Systems (GISs) are pictorial representations of information and are quite useful in understanding social welfare problems and showing social work clients in their environment. This paper presents GIS as a potential tool for social work research, planning, management, and administration. It includes sections defining GID, explaining the possibilties for GIS use in human services, presenting a case study using geographic information, advising potential GIS users, and discussing the implications for social work education.     

Human Services and the Information Economy

SUMMARY

This article discusses the impact of the information economy on human services. The major topics discussed include: the changing nature of work, the impact of the cost of adoption of technology by the human services, the changing expectations the public has for agency use of technology, the move to electronic record keeping and data management, the need for developing a data integrity management process, and the impact of the Internet and intranets on software development.     

Connecting Clinical Information Processing With Computer Support

Clinically oriented computer systems require compatibility with the information processing that typifies clinical work. This paper summarizes some of the research that can be applied to such processing and uses the summary to suggest likely errors. Alternative means to correct for such errors are also summmarized leading to an emphasis on decision support systems that integrate human and computer information processing strengths. An example concerning long-term mental illness is used for illustration.     

信息与通信技术及知识城市构建

知识城市是中国城市发展模式的创新。在全球化和信息化时代,我国知识城市发展要规避西方发达国家城市发展的老路,优先发展信息与通信技术（ICT）,依靠公民知识素质的提升和企业知识积累实现跨越式发展,并不断扩大其作为通用技术的优势,推动城市的知识扩散、知识创新和产业创新,使其成为中国构建知识城市的动力。     

知识经济与青年人力资源的开发

知识经济作为一种建立在知识和信息的生产。分配和使用之上的经济从本质上讲是以人力资源为依托的,是一种人才经济。因为在知识经济时代,知识资源将取代土地、资本、原材料等而成为主要的生产要素,这一变化意味着非为知识的拥有者和创造者,人和由其形成的人力资源将成为现代经济持续发展的关键因素,成为超出物质资源之上的第一资源。 一、知识经济与青年人力资源开发的新时代 所谓人力资源是指一个国家、一个地区总人口中有劳动生产能力的所有劳动者,它包括质量和数量两个指标。青年是人力资源中最有潜力和活力的资源。在一般情况下,…     

Teaching Information Technology to Human Service Students

Summary

This article specifies the knowledge and skills needed by human service professionals in order to utilize the potential of information technology for better care delivery. The conceptual foundation proposes an integrative approach that views management, case management and treatment as one integrated process in the human service agencies and which must be reflected in the information system design. A course for graduate students that incorporates this concept was developed in two schools of social work during a three-year period and is presented in details.     

The Future of Human Service Information Technology

The immediate future of human services and information technology is examined in terms of their unifying principles and potentials. Effects on human relationships are used as a departure point to forecast changes in professional training and work and changes in the problems people experience. Professional training will incorporate high skill levels in the use and application of information technology. Changes in professional work may include more home based work and more automation of professional tasks. Changes in the problems people experience are addressed in four areas: (1) near consequences of life in an intellect intensive society; (2) human services subject to dramatic improvement; (3) information technology as a "male" technology; and (4) the growth in social support networks. Suggestions are made to explore the conjunction of human service work and information technology.     

Information Use by Levels in Human Service Organizations

Summary

Theories on organizational structure and the value of information informed observations of patterns of information use by workers in a human service organization. Differences were found in the type and frequency of information used by workers at three different levels-executive, manager and direct service. Findings suggest a gap in the education and training of human service practitioners; suggest effectiveness and efficiency improvements through an organization based design of information systems, To facilitate this, schools of social work must teach the decision-making purposes and processes at each level of the organization. Schools also must expose students to the technologies available to support practice decisions.     

Bankrupt Rhetoric: How Misleading Information Affects Knowledge about Social Security

Most citizens know little about politics. Scholars often attributepolitical ignorance to individual-level factors, but we concentrateon the quality of the information environment. Employing a combinationof experimental methods and content analysis, we code statementsfrom the 1998–99 debate over Social Security reform aseither misleading or not misleading. Then, using surveys conductedduring the debate, we examine the impact of individual- andenvironmental-level variables on political knowledge about theprogram’s future. We show that misleading statements aboutSocial Security’s future cause some citizens to get animportant fact about the program wrong. More precisely, manycitizens mistakenly believe that Social Security will run outof money because political elites occasionally use words thatlead to overly pessimistic assessments of the program’sfinancial future. Our findings have important implications forpolicymakers who are attempting to remake America’s largestfederal program, scholars who study citizen competence, andcitizens in a representative democracy.     

Knowledge of Acute Human Immnuodeficiency Virus Infection Among Gay and Bisexual Male College Students

Abstract

Objective: To examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in at-risk college men who have sex with men (MSM), focusing on knowledge about acute HIV infection (AHI). Participants and Methods: A one-time anonymous survey was administered to college students attending a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer conference in February 2012. This article reports on a study subsample of MSM. Results: A total of 100 MSM completed the survey. Participants had an average age of 20.4 years. Sixty-six percent reported condom use the last time they had sex. Only 46% had ever heard of symptoms related to AHI. Forty-two percent would likely seek medical care when showing acute symptoms in a setting consistent with AHI. Conclusion: Despite having multiple risk factors for HIV infection, many MSM college students are unaware of AHI. HIV prevention programs should target this population and include information about signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of AHI.     

Information Technology,Adaptation and Innovation in Nonprofit Human Service Organizations

This report examines how two measures of performance—adaptation and innovation—can be predicted by the use of digital communication. It suggests that information technology in nonprofits offers strong leverage for adaptation but not for innovation. This suggests that (a) the two measures are dissimilar in both their nature and their relevance to organizational performance in nonprofit settings, (b) that service organizations are more likely to use information technology for adapting to change, and (c) it is probable that large and well-founded organizations will use IT for establishing innovations.     

Using the Systems Development Life Cycle for Computer Applications in Human Services

This paper examines the systems development life cycle (SDLC) as one major way to improve successful development, implementation and use of computer applications in human services. The systems development life cycle of a hospital-based case management system is described to demonstrate a successful system. Issues of the uniqueness of human services applications, the use of microcomputer technology, and prototyping as an alternative to the SDLC are analyzed in relation to the case study.