Computers in Social Work
Computers have evolved over time and now they are used in many ways. A computer is an electronic device that is used to process and store data. A computer can also carry out a sequence of operations. The term computer, before an electronic computer was invented, was referred to as a person who could complete calculations by using a computing device. As time progressed, electronic computers were originally used in the government to calculate census and to find new defense strategies to protect the country. In 1975, a computer, called a PC, was introduced in a small business which allowed smaller businesses to compete with larger businesses. These computers were also the first to use “standard workbooks and business software.” (Writer, 2017).
Technology in the classroom has evolved from paddle boards to a lantern that displayed images to mini chalk boards etc. (Dunn 2011). The use of technology in the classroom has become more interactive with class lessons which allows students to engage and have a better understanding of what is going on. The iPad entered schools in 2010 which allowed students to use different applications that would help them learn in ways that they understand instead of children using methods that they did not understand which doesn’t help a student learn effectively. The iPad allowed studies to become electronic, which could be a problem, and this allowed students to have resources that could help them find information that would be useful to them.
Computers are used in Social Work in more ways than one. Social work majors use computers to get an education if they are taking online classes that help them get one step closer to earning their degree. Getting an education is important because it allows one to gain more knowledge in the profession that they want to pursue. Online classes are very similar to lecture classes, but online classes allow students to find resources to help them find information while listening to their class through the computer or having other class related items to complete online. Computers for Social Work majors are important cause it allows students to complete their research for the field that they would like to work in. Technology has helped students because it gives them the resources that will help them grow in the field that they want to start a career in. Social Work majors use computers when it comes time to fill out applications for jobs once they graduate and earn the necessary degrees. Computers can also be used in internships that students need during their senior year of undergrad.
Computers in the Social Work profession are used to set client appointments, take notes, and to use skype or some video chat application to have sessions with clients. Computers are also used to store client information which is easier than having everything on paper. Social workers can use technology to gain access to information or to have spreadsheets for each client which is a better layout because they can just add on to each spreadsheet instead of possibly having to keep writing everything down on paper. Technology also helps social workers keep up with the latest social issues and they can network through social media with other social workers for research purposes which could help them gain knowledge on information that they didn’t know before or that they would like to have learned but didn’t have the resources to do so.
I have used computers in the classroom to gain more knowledge of the social work major and to research the necessary requirements needed to gain a master’s degree in this major. I have also used computers to research different graduate schools that offer a master’s in social work to pursue that degree after I complete my undergraduate studies. Before computers, workers used paper and punch cards which would stack up and they would have to be processed by hand. (Pastore 2013). Computers have allowed individuals to process information in a faster period of time rather than having to wait for someone else to process it by hand. Technology makes tasks easier in a work place because it can be done quicker, and they can just pull up information from a computer file or a hard drive rather than having to put everything on paper and risk losing their information.
Before computers people had to search information in books which takes much longer than typing a question in the search bar of a computer and it will search the answer for you. Computers have allowed people to network and find jobs in an easier way because paper applications are harder to complete and harder to go over when there are a lot to look over. Many jobs also do background checks and technology has made it easier to complete a background check on someone who submits an application. Computers have impacted the work place and classrooms because there are more resources available to a person and it helps with a better education.
I see computers becoming more involved in a person’s life in the future because they are already so relevant, but technology will take over at some point. There are pros and cons to technology but computers in classrooms will evolve and there will be more use of computers because children do not read books like people used to. Computers in classrooms will help students find the information they need, and it will allow students to learn faster. Growing up, I had to complete work by hand and use books to find information that was needed, but in the future children won’t have to worry about that because everything will be done electronically.
Computers in the work place will become more important and will be put to use more than they are today. Computers will make it easier on employees to store data and information that they could lose if it were on paper. People in a work place will use technology to send reminders to clients for their appointments and can send copies of any information that a person may need. This could be a problem because there could be someone who may hack into the system and steal client information that is personal. If someone hacks into a computer system, they could find out where someone lives or find any information that could possibly ruin someone’s life and they could put it on the internet for everyone to see. In the future, technology should evolve to find ways to prevent systems from being hacked and viruses could be prevented. This will keep information safe and people wouldn’t have to worry about their information being put out for everyone to see.
Computers in the future will impact society because it will become a big part. Society today uses technology in everyday life for work and education, but in the future, it will become a part of daily life and it will eventually take over. Books will not be as relevant as they are today because many books and text are available as e-books online that people can open as a pdf file and read directly from the computer instead of checking out a book from a library or purchasing one online. Many children use technology, but this isn’t always a good thing because children today will never know what its like to go outside and play with their friends until before dark because they bury their faces into some form of technology whether it’s a computer or a tablet or a video game.
In conclusion, computers have impacted the work place in many ways. Computers make the work place easier to navigate when searching for information that is needed. Computers in education have made research easier to find and it allows students to apply for graduate schools, internships, and jobs for when they graduate and are ready to start a career in the field that they majored in. Computers in society will become a part of daily life and will eventually take over.
Bibliography
1. Dunn, Jeff. “The Evolution of Classroom Technology.” Edudemic, 18 Apr. 2011, www.edudemic.com/classroom-technology/.
2. Pastore, Rose. “What Were Offices Like Before Computers And The Internet?” Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2013, www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-04/what-were-offices-computers-and-internet.
3. Writer, Contributing. "History of Computers in the Workplace." Bizfluent, https://bizfluent.com/about-6362639-history-computers-workplace.html. 26 September 2017.
4. “How Social Workers Use Technology.” Oll, 1 Mar. 2017, www.onlineprograms.ollusa.edu/msw/resources/how-social-workers-use-technology.