Digital Social Work with Children and Youth

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:1.00

Study Course Accepted:20.04.2023 08:57:49

Study Course Information
Course Code:		MRU_016		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:				Target Audience:
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Daniel Markovič
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Welfare and Social Work
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		6	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		12
Classes (count)		6	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		12
Total Contact Hours								24
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:

Objective:

Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Social Work and technologies - a new channel for working with young people			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
2	Why do clients choose work online? Counselling synchronously and asynchronously			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
3	Distance counselling (ex. via telephone call, video call, online)			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
4	Blogging and video blogging for helping professions. Social work and social media			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
5	Chatbots for counselling and therapy			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
6	Assistive technologies and social robots			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
7	Digital literacy and digital capabilities for social workers			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
8	Distance education technology			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
9	Safe on the Internet – protection of youth against predators, manipulations and hoaxes. Fact-checking			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
10	Ethical responsibilities when using digital technology			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
11	Eksāmens			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		0.50	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Reading of scientific literature, group discussion and brainstorming; simulation-based counselling training; short video or written blog post.
Assessment Criteria:
All course work, i.e. group work, essay, individual project, etc., is completed in a timely manner and in accordance with the course plan and general academic requirements
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Will be able to understand, critically analyse and evaluate contribution of different theories of social sciences and humanities as well as indigenous knowledge to micro-macro practice and research of social work with children and youth; analyse and critically evaluate policy decisions regarding their impact on young people across all sectors, notably employment, education, health and social inclusion.
Skills:		Will be able to investigate and analyse social needs and problems of children, youth and their families and provide directions to policies and actions that help to make remedial goals identifiable and achievable; analyse, synthesize and critically evaluate research findings; apply research results in changing and uncertain situations; ensure the well-being of children and youths through evidence-based practices.
Competencies:		Will be able to systematically assess diverse needs of children and youth, and actively engage children and youths in addressing their needs; apply empowering social work intervention methods; advocate for resources and system reforms that will improve services for children and youths; incorporate and use new IC technology appropriately and effectively in multiple areas providing services to children and youth; educate children and youth risk management using ICT.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Jones, G., Stokes, A (2008). Online Counselling: A Handbook for Practitioners. London: Macmillan International Higher Education
2	Aramburu, L., & Marcuello-Servós, C. (2018). Digital generation, emotions and social movements: A conceptual framework. In M. Lisboa, & D. Cerejo (Eds.), Complexity sciences: Theoretical and empirical approaches to social action (pp. 65–78). Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
3	Hill, A., Shaw, I. (2011). Social work and ICT. London: Sage
4	López Pel?ez, A. (Ed.). (2014). The robotics divide. A new frontier in the 21st century? New York: Springer.
Additional Reading
1	Adedoyin, A. C. (2016). Deploying virtual communities of practice as a digital tool in social work: A rapid review and critique of the literature. Social Work Education, 35(3), 357–370.
2	Berzin, S. C., Singer, J., & Chan, C. (2015). Practice innovation through technology in the digital age: A grand challenge for social work. Paper No. 12. Columbia, SC: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare
3	Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. J. (2016). Social work and social media: Online help-seeking and the mental well-being of adolescent males. British Journal of Social, 46(1), 257–276.
4	Brown, K. (2011). Vulnerability: Handle with care. Ethics and Social Welfare, 5(3), 313–321.
5	Bullock, A. N., & Kolbin, A. D. (2015). Communication technology integration into social work practice. Advances in Social Work, 16(1), (Spring 2015) 1–14.
6	Hardcastle, D. A., Powers, P. R., & Wenocur, S. (2011). Community practice. Theories and skills for social workers. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
7	Waldman, J., & Rafferty, J. (2006). Evidence from virtual social work practice. Journal of Evidence-based Social Work, 3(3–4), 127–148.