Technological innovation has brought changes to the landscape of the social work profession, and these have produced both challenges and opportunities for the field.
Guiding readers through the origins of the policy standards around technology integration including the professions charge to explore strategies for harnessing technology for social good, it also examines shifts in philosophical views among practitioners regarding the use of technology as a practice tool and the ethics around their use. Considering both the challenges and opportunities of the utilization of technology in social work practice, it analyses various technological tools, such as ChatGPT, social media, avatars, and metaverse, across different practice levels (micro, mezzo, macro).
Providing practical tips and case-examples, this book will be required reading for practitioners, educators, and students to improve their efficiency, efficacy, and skills with technology while connecting and engaging with clients.
Section I - Brief Introduction to Technology Integration in the Social Work Profession
Chapter One - Evolution of Technology in Social Work Practice: A Historical Perspective
Paul P. Freddolino and Ha-Neul Kim
Chapter Two - Technology Adoption and Digital Equity in Social Work
Beverly Araujo Dawson, Elisabeth Counselman Carpenter and Renee M. Rawcliffe
Chapter Three - Social Workers Use of Technology: Ethical and Risk Management Issues
Frederic G. Reamer
Section II - More Specific to Practical Uses of Technology
Chapter Four - The Advantages and Challenges of the Use of Telepractices
Margaret Cristofalo
Chapter Five - Utilizing social media in social work practice
Stephen P. Cummings
Chapter Six - Big Data in Social Work Practice
Siva Mathiyazhagan, Aviv Y. Landau, Comfort Sampong and Desmond U. Patton
Chapter Seven - Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Social Work Practice
Johanna Creswell Báez, Marina A. Badillo-Diaz, Melanie Sage and Aubrey Tamietti
Chapter Eight - Using Technology to Teach Practice Skills
M. Sebrena Jackson and Alex D. Colvin
Chapter Nine - The Future of Social Work and Digital Technologies: The Futures Triangle, Digital Developments and Social Work Practice
Jimmy A. Young, John Bricout, Jonathan B. Singer, Jennifer Ann Parga and Lauri Goldkind