SUNY Buffalo School of Social Work Goes Online
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Del.icio.usThe University at Buffalo School of Social Work has the world of technology in its sights — the prestigious program has launched four internet-based social worker degree initiatives designed with the hopes of engaging “the cyberspace community” and bringing creativity and innovation to its field.
Whether it means nationally acclaimed podcasts or the emerging alternative digital world of Second Life, UB’s School of Social Work is online in a major way. [...] “As a profession, social workers are latecomers to technology. As latecomers, we’re missing a generation,” says Nancy J. Smyth, dean of the UB School of Social Work. “We risk becoming obsolete if we do not get on board with this.
“Our strategy is to go more digital,” she says. “Recruitment of students is shifting more and more to online strategies. Go electronic. That’s certainly true for trying to recruit new students. The need to develop an electronic cyberspace presence is a given.”
Smyth’s programs utilize social networking and learning programs on each end of the spectrum, from casual (Facebook and podcasts) to immersive (Second Life and full online courses). The podcasts are especially boastworthy, comprising the first online social worker degree-related podcast series in the country. The University at Buffalo is making a bid for presence on the internet, and in a way that could revolutionize a whole field of learning — not to mention add in some fun. It’s a bold move, but it’s one that just might work.
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Editor: Melissa Steele is a freelance writer and focuses her research on funding for higher education. She is a graduate of UNLV and endeavors to keep her readers up to date with the most relevant education information.