The New Informational Paradigm: Developing Practice-Led Approaches to the Use of Mobile ICT in Social Work

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has profound impacts on society as people integrate technology into their lives. Social work is similarly influenced by ICT as workplaces, individual practitioners and clients adopt new forms of technology and this has prompted an increasing focus of on the implications of technology on all aspects of professional practice. Drawing on the work of Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells as its theoretical foundation, this article reports on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that sought to understand the potential practice-led integration of ICTs with traditional social work practice at an organisation in rural Victoria, Australia. Eight participants were provided with tablet computers and collaborated with the researcher over a period of eight months to trial ways in which ICTs might complement traditional face-to-face practice in the field. Findings highlight a range of benefits and challenges in adopting a practice-led approach that spaned three key themes; successful practice-led approaches, technological friction, and challenges inherent in what Castells describes as the transition to network enterprises. Findings highlight the need for ongoing research and engagement to ensure that technological advances are implemented in ways that are consistent with the enduring ethics and philosophies of the social work profession.

Networks of power and counterpower in social work with children and families in England

“…A number of studies also apply Castells' work to examining social exclusion and technology, including around supporting isolated rural communities (Baker et al 2017(Baker et al , 2018 and working with care experienced children and adults (Ballantyne et al, 2010;Sen, 2016). These studies all highlight that the provision of technology is insufficient for supporting marginalised individuals and communities to fully exercise their rights in the network society, and can even exacerbate the exclusion experienced.…”

“…Therefore a final challenge for social workers is to build the networking capacity of individuals and communities who are marginalised and excluded within the network society. As was outlined above, there are a number of studies and articles that have already considered the potential for Castells' work to inform social workers' engagement with excluded populations (Ballantyne et al, 2010;Sen, 2016;Baker et al, 2017Baker et al, , 2018. Social workers should seek to build on these examples, supporting the development of networked counterpower with service users and communities.…”

La competencia digital en el docente universitario

“…(Steils, Tombs, Mawer, Savin-Baden, & Wimpenny, 2014). Frente a lo anteriormente mencionado, surge la pregunta de cómo los docentes universitarios adoptarán un enfoque basado en la práctica para el uso de las TICs y qué desafíos organizativos y tecnológicos deberán abordarse para apoyar un enfoque basado en la práctica (Baker, Warburton, Hodgkin & Pascal, 2017) Según Mykhnenko (2016), la importancia de la aplicación de tecnologías de aprendizaje se considera ahora no solo una parte crucial de la enseñanza-aprendizaje en la educación superior, sino también una evidencia vital de las prácticas innovadoras de enseñanza utilizadas como criterio para la promoción. Los intereses de muchas instituciones de educación superior en el contexto europeo se encuentran en un proceso de trabajo corporativo con visos a la globalización y con ello incrementar su presencia en el mercado online, siempre basado en el empleo de las tecnologías para buscar un promisorio mercado y con ello estar a la vanguardia en lo que respecta a proveer cursos diversos en plataformas virtuales.…”

Blended Therapies and Mobile Phones for Improving the Health of Female Victims of Gender Violence

“…According to Baker et al [ 1 ], Peláez et al [ 2 ], and Bullock and Colvin [ 3 ], social services professionals need to adopt a practice-based approach to integrate information technologies and mobile communications into their professional activity. Such technologies are becoming increasingly pervasive, and their use in social services needs to be discussed and understood in depth [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], as well as their ethical implications and how negative attitudes towards technology in social work can be challenged [ 8 ].…”

“…Mobile phone-based information and communication technologies are the most accessible forms of mediated communication in history, and texting is currently one of the most widely used forms of communication [ 18 ]. We must bear in mind that face-to-face communication promotes a strong therapeutic bond and an atmosphere of trust between social services professionals and users, but these can be complemented by online communication solutions that facilitate individual care [ 1 ]. Granholm [ 4 ] believes that there is space to develop the blended social work method, which combines face-to-face and online care.…”