A Glimmer of Optimism
| Published date | 01 December 1993 |
| Date | 01 December 1993 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059304000422 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
work. In America some 26 % of all
PENTIUM
training is now computer based and
research shows it to be effective in that
people like using it, they learn and retain
more and the systems provide feedback
on their performance. In child protection
work front line workers in city areas
A Glimmer
experience high levels of stress and
computer programs can help support
practitioners as well as tram them.
of Optimism
Keisha provides a social work
simulation with the user as the social
worker surrounded by symbols
representing the tools of their trade -
his
telephone, car, records, resources, access
column has so far been
to meetings and an owl representing the
rather pessimistic about the
supervisor. The user decides how to use
’Professional Use of Computers’, not in
these tools to undertake an investigation
terms of the technology itself but in the
into allegations that the child, Keisha, is
limited use of such programs by
being abused.
practitioners. One recent event heralds a
The program is reasonably easy to
glimmer of optimism; the third
use and represents a significant step
Computer Open Day hosted by South
forward in the provision of this type of
West London Probation Service on 28
computer learning aid. The full version
October 1993. The day was well
will be available soon, although
organised, well presented and well
inevitably geared to American practice
attended, with over twenty presenters and
(’obtain a police escort for visiting this
well over a hundred visitors.
district’) and American legislation. It is
The Open Day had a dual purpose:
perhaps a sad reflection on the fact that
firstly to get social work practitioners
British software writers of ’professional’
accustomed to the idea of computers as a
software have not yet engendered
tool and, secondly, to demonstrate some
sufficient interest in their products to
of the new applications which have been
generate enough profit to invest in
developed to assist social workers to do
writing this type of...
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