Preparation for Computer Usage in Social Work: Student Consumer Variables

Using an Online Support Site to Extend the Learning to a Graduate Field Practicum in the United States

“…Despite the gradual increase in numbers of students participating in a listserv and electronic mail communications, a study conducted by Nurius et al (1988) suggested that computer training for students was generally not occurring in the field placement settings and that field agencies were not equipped to function as a computer training site. Nevertheless, Born (1987) advocated that the integration of micro-computing within a field practicum during the first year of a graduate program would create an excellent opportunity to expose students to computer technology.…”

“…Doelker & Lynette (1988) predicted computer-based training would become a valuable medium of instruction both in higher education and continuing education. Yet, since the late 1980s, research on student attitudes toward the use of computers has suggested that computer anxiety is a major cause of resistance to using computers (Gardner et al, 1993;Nurius et al, 1988;Pardeck et al, 1987).…”

Computer Management in a Substance Abuse Resource Center

“…Flynn (1990) describes the use of CAI to teach social welfare policy and computer simulations to explicate models of social policy process. Several schools of social work have developed curricula on information technology (Nurius, Richey & Nicoll, 1988;Green, 1990;Hernandez & Leung, 1990) and Caputo and Cnaan (1990) predict a trend for standardization of hardware and software in schools of social work.…”

From the Editor

“…Agencies use computers (Nurius, Hooyman & Nicoll, 1988) and students are receptive to learning about computers (Nurius, Richey & Nicoll, 1988), but are schools of social work well-enough equipped to teach them? Most programs have microcomputers, usually for faculty use.…”