Technology
Although I grew up in a generation where my peers revolve around technology, I struggled in my proficiency and technical interests. I always knew enough about technology to communicate at a minimum level, but I didn’t have the desire to grow and develop in my understanding. As I started the Human Services program and recognized the value and true importance of the technological age we are experiencing, my desire began to grow. Through my first quarter in the program, in HSP 302, Introduction to Human Services, we had the opportunity to share Photo voice assignments. As I was using technology in a small way each week, I saw the value and creativity that can be expressed through something as small as a digital photo in a PowerPoint presentation (Photo Voice #4).
Technology can be used to convey ideas in creative and innovative ways (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). Information takes on a different form when displayed with technology. Oral and written data is helpful, but when visual and interactive elements are added, a new level of attention can be reached. For example, in HSP 303, Human Service Professionals and Interpersonal Systems, my dyad partner and I created a Prezi presentation to express the interconnection of systems (Dyad Experience prezi). Rather than just explaining or writing out how the various levels of systems interact, we created a visual representation. I also was able to utilize technology’s power in my Legacy presentation for HSP 305, Human Service Professionals and Small Group Systems, with a PowerPoint presentation and youtube.com auditory rainforest sounds (Rainforest Layers PowerPoint). I used the metaphor of a rainforest to describe my overall growth through Junior Core, and thought that the visual and auditory aids would help my audience enter into my learning experience.
Another avenue of opportunity that technology provides is to communicate and collaborate effectively (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). Technology provides ways to interact with others at a distance and gives options for groups to work together on a project or a problem. One way I was able to engage at a distance with a group was through Skype. During HSP 402, Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, we had a project group that did research on Whatcom County nonprofit board demographics. When we presented our findings at the Whatcom Council of Nonprofits steering committee retreat, our group members needed to meet with our professor, Trula Nicholas, to find out the details. We all collaborated via Skype and didn’t even have to leave our homes!
In addition to communicating at a distance, technology opens ways for groups to solve problems and display findings to audiences in different formats (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). In HSP 406, Human Services Professionals and Global Systems, we had the opportunity to choose a global area of concern to research and relay our findings to our classmates. My group chose to study genocide and create a Prezi that displayed a map of the world and focused on different countries that experienced these tragedies (Genocide Prezi). This presentation can be used to convey the information to multiple audiences either online or in-person.
Technology opens the door to endless research and information fluency possibilities (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). For example, as I mentioned previously, in HSP 402, Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, we were able to conduct our own research surveys of local nonprofit board demographics. After our data collection, we inputted the information into an Excel spreadsheet that helped organize our findings. Then, we created graphs to represent our conclusions (Board Demographics PowerPoint). We made sure to use the appropriate data, and when there were incomplete data sets, we either didn’t use them or explained in our narrative.
Other areas that technology influences are critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). There are resources and tools available to conduct strong research that helps solve problems and make informed decisions. I had the opportunity to inquiry about the homeless population with mental illness and do research on how those individuals integrate back into community in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods. I used the online databases to access scholarly articles to carry out my literature review (HSP 385 Literature Review). Further, we had the opportunity to manipulate data in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods, and HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation.
The process of collecting and analyzing data can be carried out more smoothly with the use of technology. In HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation, we used raw data from Project Homeless Connect to decide what aspect of the event we wanted to evaluate. After calculating percentages of services requested and received and the health statuses of the guests, my team member and I created graphs in Excel and copied them into our report (HSP 485 PHC Program Evaluation). We made some recommendations from our data for the future years of the program.
There can be potential dangers with the rapid use of technology, so the value of digital citizenship should be embraced (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). It is important to advocate for legal and ethical responsibility while maneuvering the technical world. In HSP 325, Interviewing for Human Services, it was crucial to express the concept of confidentiality. The interviewee I had made the choice that he only wanted to have the interview shown to my professor and classmates. I had the responsibility of uploading the video to youtube.com, but keeping it as a private setting for only people with the link to access.
As advances in technology continue, there will be more operations and concepts to learn (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). It is important to keep an open mind and a willingness to troubleshoot a new program or system. The first time I had that opportunity was in HSP 304, Portfolio Learning in Human Services. We created our own websites to practice for our Capstone Portfolios. I was able to gain some experience with weebly.com as a domain site (HSP 304 weebly.com link). Since that time, I was able to learn and gain more knowledge in technical areas in all of my internships (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 21: Field Experience).
While I interned at Dorothy Place, I was able to continue my expertise using Mac computers, since the Opportunity Council is on that system. Also, I was exposed to the Washington State HMIS intake system that they use to keep records of clients (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 14: Information Management). At The Willows Senior Living, one of my learning objectives was to further my technical skills. I used Microsoft Publisher quite a bit to create posters. I took video of the Veteran’s program and uploaded it onto the computer and CD. The media center at The Willows has a nice projection system, so I was able to set-up a computer to the TV for the Academy of Lifelong Learning classes and my own presentations to the residents (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 21: Field Experience).
In my last internship at the Whatcom Council on Aging, I learned how to use the grant-tracking database that the Bellingham Public Library owns. It was helpful to have a tutorial from one of the librarians and have a chance to navigate the system myself for a while (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 15: Information Management & Standard 21: Field Experience).
Overall, technology is an important gift that should be used to further development, research, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and more. When used ethically appropriate, technology is a wonderful asset to the Human Services profession. I have developed my technical skills over the last two years and will continue growing in this area as I keep an open mind about the new systems and programs yet to be discovered.
References
Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). (2009).
CSHSE national standards for human services education. Available from:
http://www.cshse.org.standards.html
International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). The ISTE and Performance
Indicators for Students. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student _2007_EN.sflb.ashx
Although I grew up in a generation where my peers revolve around technology, I struggled in my proficiency and technical interests. I always knew enough about technology to communicate at a minimum level, but I didn’t have the desire to grow and develop in my understanding. As I started the Human Services program and recognized the value and true importance of the technological age we are experiencing, my desire began to grow. Through my first quarter in the program, in HSP 302, Introduction to Human Services, we had the opportunity to share Photo voice assignments. As I was using technology in a small way each week, I saw the value and creativity that can be expressed through something as small as a digital photo in a PowerPoint presentation (Photo Voice #4).
Technology can be used to convey ideas in creative and innovative ways (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). Information takes on a different form when displayed with technology. Oral and written data is helpful, but when visual and interactive elements are added, a new level of attention can be reached. For example, in HSP 303, Human Service Professionals and Interpersonal Systems, my dyad partner and I created a Prezi presentation to express the interconnection of systems (Dyad Experience prezi). Rather than just explaining or writing out how the various levels of systems interact, we created a visual representation. I also was able to utilize technology’s power in my Legacy presentation for HSP 305, Human Service Professionals and Small Group Systems, with a PowerPoint presentation and youtube.com auditory rainforest sounds (Rainforest Layers PowerPoint). I used the metaphor of a rainforest to describe my overall growth through Junior Core, and thought that the visual and auditory aids would help my audience enter into my learning experience.
Another avenue of opportunity that technology provides is to communicate and collaborate effectively (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). Technology provides ways to interact with others at a distance and gives options for groups to work together on a project or a problem. One way I was able to engage at a distance with a group was through Skype. During HSP 402, Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, we had a project group that did research on Whatcom County nonprofit board demographics. When we presented our findings at the Whatcom Council of Nonprofits steering committee retreat, our group members needed to meet with our professor, Trula Nicholas, to find out the details. We all collaborated via Skype and didn’t even have to leave our homes!
In addition to communicating at a distance, technology opens ways for groups to solve problems and display findings to audiences in different formats (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). In HSP 406, Human Services Professionals and Global Systems, we had the opportunity to choose a global area of concern to research and relay our findings to our classmates. My group chose to study genocide and create a Prezi that displayed a map of the world and focused on different countries that experienced these tragedies (Genocide Prezi). This presentation can be used to convey the information to multiple audiences either online or in-person.
Technology opens the door to endless research and information fluency possibilities (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). For example, as I mentioned previously, in HSP 402, Human Services Professionals and Organizational Systems, we were able to conduct our own research surveys of local nonprofit board demographics. After our data collection, we inputted the information into an Excel spreadsheet that helped organize our findings. Then, we created graphs to represent our conclusions (Board Demographics PowerPoint). We made sure to use the appropriate data, and when there were incomplete data sets, we either didn’t use them or explained in our narrative.
Other areas that technology influences are critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). There are resources and tools available to conduct strong research that helps solve problems and make informed decisions. I had the opportunity to inquiry about the homeless population with mental illness and do research on how those individuals integrate back into community in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods. I used the online databases to access scholarly articles to carry out my literature review (HSP 385 Literature Review). Further, we had the opportunity to manipulate data in HSP 385, Applied Research Methods, and HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation.
The process of collecting and analyzing data can be carried out more smoothly with the use of technology. In HSP 485, Program Planning and Evaluation, we used raw data from Project Homeless Connect to decide what aspect of the event we wanted to evaluate. After calculating percentages of services requested and received and the health statuses of the guests, my team member and I created graphs in Excel and copied them into our report (HSP 485 PHC Program Evaluation). We made some recommendations from our data for the future years of the program.
There can be potential dangers with the rapid use of technology, so the value of digital citizenship should be embraced (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). It is important to advocate for legal and ethical responsibility while maneuvering the technical world. In HSP 325, Interviewing for Human Services, it was crucial to express the concept of confidentiality. The interviewee I had made the choice that he only wanted to have the interview shown to my professor and classmates. I had the responsibility of uploading the video to youtube.com, but keeping it as a private setting for only people with the link to access.
As advances in technology continue, there will be more operations and concepts to learn (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). It is important to keep an open mind and a willingness to troubleshoot a new program or system. The first time I had that opportunity was in HSP 304, Portfolio Learning in Human Services. We created our own websites to practice for our Capstone Portfolios. I was able to gain some experience with weebly.com as a domain site (HSP 304 weebly.com link). Since that time, I was able to learn and gain more knowledge in technical areas in all of my internships (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 21: Field Experience).
While I interned at Dorothy Place, I was able to continue my expertise using Mac computers, since the Opportunity Council is on that system. Also, I was exposed to the Washington State HMIS intake system that they use to keep records of clients (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 14: Information Management). At The Willows Senior Living, one of my learning objectives was to further my technical skills. I used Microsoft Publisher quite a bit to create posters. I took video of the Veteran’s program and uploaded it onto the computer and CD. The media center at The Willows has a nice projection system, so I was able to set-up a computer to the TV for the Academy of Lifelong Learning classes and my own presentations to the residents (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 21: Field Experience).
In my last internship at the Whatcom Council on Aging, I learned how to use the grant-tracking database that the Bellingham Public Library owns. It was helpful to have a tutorial from one of the librarians and have a chance to navigate the system myself for a while (CSHSE, 2009, Standard 15: Information Management & Standard 21: Field Experience).
Overall, technology is an important gift that should be used to further development, research, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and more. When used ethically appropriate, technology is a wonderful asset to the Human Services profession. I have developed my technical skills over the last two years and will continue growing in this area as I keep an open mind about the new systems and programs yet to be discovered.
References
Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). (2009).
CSHSE national standards for human services education. Available from:
http://www.cshse.org.standards.html
International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). The ISTE and Performance
Indicators for Students. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student _2007_EN.sflb.ashx