Technology
Technology is an important part of the Human Services program; it is used in almost every aspect of the work we do, from research to communication to education. In this program, using technology proficiently means we are able to apply scientific knowledge for research and other practical purposes. We follow the National Education Technology Standards which outline six basic uses of technology:
1) creativity and innovation,
2) communication and collaboration,
3) research and information fluency,
4) critical thinking, problem solving and decision making,
5) digital citizenship, and
6) technology operations and concepts.
Using these standards, I am able to measure and easily demonstrate my proficient skills in technology as they have related to my learning.
Creativity & Innovation
My first application of creativity and innovation in this program was during Introduction to Human Services (HSP 302). Throughout the quarter, we were assigned two “photovoice” assignments where we would use a picture and a short description to answer the question we were given. The first photovoice asked us what Human Services means to us. I took a picture of a four year old girl, Rory, riding a bike. Rory needed help from her dad to get started, and Human Services is a lot like that. We are giving our clients the support and skills they need to succeed on their own. Our second photovoice asked us to look at resources that could help us be successful as Human Services Professionals. In this photovoice, I pictured the Pellegrini Family, who had just recently had their 8th child. I used this to show the immense support a family can be, and how having family and/or close friends can help you keep personal and professional life separate by providing emotional support.
Communication & Collaboration
Throughout the Human Services program, I have been required to communicate with many different people in various ways. One area where communication is particularly important is when working with a group to achieve a common goal. Program Planning and Evaluation (HSP 485) and Non-Profit Management (HSP 435) are two courses where this skill was put to practice. In HSP 485, I worked with a group of three of my fellow peers; we were working to create an evaluation plan, execute it, and analyze the data in order to create an evaluation report for our stockholders. In this instance it was extremely important for us to communicate effectively in order to produce a product up to the standards of our stockholder. For this project, we used a google doc online to communicate and collaborate easily. Using this resource, we were all able to make edits on the same document from different computers, and with it’s built in chat system, we were able to communicate without disturbing those around us. This was also true of HSP 435, where I worked with a group of three peers to write an analysis of a non-profit organization.
Research & Information Fluency
In Applied Research Methods (HSP 385), I demonstrated my knowledge of technology in research and information fluency. This class taught me how to conduct effective and scholarly research. I used research skills learned in this class to construct an annotated bibliography where I summarized the research I found and related it back to the topic of my research. I then used the information I had learned from my research to write a literature review where I more fully analyzed the research I had found and discussed its relevance to my chosen topic of research.
Another area where I showed my skills in research and information fluency was in Human Development (HSP 315) when I wrote my term paper. In this assignment, I chose to evaluate Bronfenfrenner’s Ecological System Theory and use it to explain the development of emotional disturbances in adolescents. I conducted a large amount of research on emotional development, emotional disturbances, and systemic influences. I then produced a term paper where I displayed my knowledge in a fluent and in-depth manner.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making
I demonstrated my critical thinking skills, ability to problem solve and make decisions in Program Planning. In this class I created a program plan for an emotional skill building class for high school students. The idea was to give students the skills and knowledge they need to recognize and handle their emotions in hopes of preventing emotional disturbances such as depression. I researched the importance of emotional readiness as well as some similar programs and their effectiveness. I used this information to build a plan that echoed the effective programs, but also introduced things I had found missing yet necessary.
Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship refers to being ethical and professional in regards to individuals you are working with and digital recordings of any kind (photographs, voice recordings, videos, etc). I demonstrated this knowledge during the building of my culminating project where I conducted a series of interviews. I created a release form for each individual to sign prior to being interviewed, and I also explained to them their rights: although signing the release form forced them to give up confidentiality, I told them they were able to withdraw their participation at any time. For these interviews, I used a voice recorder to capture the interview, which I later used to write the blog posts for my culminating project. I also included a picture of each person. Although I was using their picture, name and words, I gave each person flexibility in keeping themselves as confidential (or not) as they wanted.
Technology Operations & Concepts
My use of technology operations and applied concepts was demonstrated in Clinical Interviewing (HSP 325) where I was asked to conduct an interview of an individual who had experience in an issue we were interested in. I used my technology skills to film and edit the interview myself, and then upload it to YouTube.
1) creativity and innovation,
2) communication and collaboration,
3) research and information fluency,
4) critical thinking, problem solving and decision making,
5) digital citizenship, and
6) technology operations and concepts.
Using these standards, I am able to measure and easily demonstrate my proficient skills in technology as they have related to my learning.
Creativity & Innovation
My first application of creativity and innovation in this program was during Introduction to Human Services (HSP 302). Throughout the quarter, we were assigned two “photovoice” assignments where we would use a picture and a short description to answer the question we were given. The first photovoice asked us what Human Services means to us. I took a picture of a four year old girl, Rory, riding a bike. Rory needed help from her dad to get started, and Human Services is a lot like that. We are giving our clients the support and skills they need to succeed on their own. Our second photovoice asked us to look at resources that could help us be successful as Human Services Professionals. In this photovoice, I pictured the Pellegrini Family, who had just recently had their 8th child. I used this to show the immense support a family can be, and how having family and/or close friends can help you keep personal and professional life separate by providing emotional support.
Communication & Collaboration
Throughout the Human Services program, I have been required to communicate with many different people in various ways. One area where communication is particularly important is when working with a group to achieve a common goal. Program Planning and Evaluation (HSP 485) and Non-Profit Management (HSP 435) are two courses where this skill was put to practice. In HSP 485, I worked with a group of three of my fellow peers; we were working to create an evaluation plan, execute it, and analyze the data in order to create an evaluation report for our stockholders. In this instance it was extremely important for us to communicate effectively in order to produce a product up to the standards of our stockholder. For this project, we used a google doc online to communicate and collaborate easily. Using this resource, we were all able to make edits on the same document from different computers, and with it’s built in chat system, we were able to communicate without disturbing those around us. This was also true of HSP 435, where I worked with a group of three peers to write an analysis of a non-profit organization.
Research & Information Fluency
In Applied Research Methods (HSP 385), I demonstrated my knowledge of technology in research and information fluency. This class taught me how to conduct effective and scholarly research. I used research skills learned in this class to construct an annotated bibliography where I summarized the research I found and related it back to the topic of my research. I then used the information I had learned from my research to write a literature review where I more fully analyzed the research I had found and discussed its relevance to my chosen topic of research.
Another area where I showed my skills in research and information fluency was in Human Development (HSP 315) when I wrote my term paper. In this assignment, I chose to evaluate Bronfenfrenner’s Ecological System Theory and use it to explain the development of emotional disturbances in adolescents. I conducted a large amount of research on emotional development, emotional disturbances, and systemic influences. I then produced a term paper where I displayed my knowledge in a fluent and in-depth manner.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making
I demonstrated my critical thinking skills, ability to problem solve and make decisions in Program Planning. In this class I created a program plan for an emotional skill building class for high school students. The idea was to give students the skills and knowledge they need to recognize and handle their emotions in hopes of preventing emotional disturbances such as depression. I researched the importance of emotional readiness as well as some similar programs and their effectiveness. I used this information to build a plan that echoed the effective programs, but also introduced things I had found missing yet necessary.
Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship refers to being ethical and professional in regards to individuals you are working with and digital recordings of any kind (photographs, voice recordings, videos, etc). I demonstrated this knowledge during the building of my culminating project where I conducted a series of interviews. I created a release form for each individual to sign prior to being interviewed, and I also explained to them their rights: although signing the release form forced them to give up confidentiality, I told them they were able to withdraw their participation at any time. For these interviews, I used a voice recorder to capture the interview, which I later used to write the blog posts for my culminating project. I also included a picture of each person. Although I was using their picture, name and words, I gave each person flexibility in keeping themselves as confidential (or not) as they wanted.
Technology Operations & Concepts
My use of technology operations and applied concepts was demonstrated in Clinical Interviewing (HSP 325) where I was asked to conduct an interview of an individual who had experience in an issue we were interested in. I used my technology skills to film and edit the interview myself, and then upload it to YouTube.