Using a Computer Network for Social Work Training

SUMMARY The social worker needs basic knowledge about human behaviour, the economic and social structure of society, law and regulations, etc. In recent years, knowledge about new methods and techniques for registering, reporting and analysing data and information has become necessary for the social worker. This paper deals with the introduction of a new course in Social Informatics in the Department of Social Work at the University of Bucharest. This department was established at the University after December 1989. The paper describes the starting point and motivation for a course in Informatics and contains a short presentation of the curriculum and gives information about the computer network and software used by the students. The results during and after the first year of teaching are mentioned and there is also a discussion about the opportunities the graduate students will have to use IT in social work practice. Finally, the conclusions lead to an optimistic approach regarding the utility of “Social...