Deborah West

Exploring the Potential of Social Network Analysis in Asset-based Community Development Practice and Research

Abstract Strengths-based practice appears to be a popular approach to social work practice. Increasingly, it has become the approach of choice in community work, with the “asset-based community development” model being utilised both in Australia and internationally. However, asset-based community development has been criticised for its lack of an evidence base, lack of theoretical depth, and its lack of consideration of the macro level causes of disempowerment. While concepts of networks are central to asset-based community development, social network theory and analysis have rarely been utilised in a comprehensive manner in asset-based community development practice or research. This article contends that asset-based community development practice can benefit from the integration of key concepts from social network theory. Similarly, it is proposed that social network analysis holds promise as an appropriate methodology in terms of understanding the efficacy of asset-based community development projects.

Theoretical pathways to the future: Globalization, ICT and social work theory and practice

• Summary: Society has changed substantially and rapidly with the advent of globalization where technology is both a catalyst for and a response to globalization. Concurrently and connected to these trends has been the advent of neo-liberalism, new managerialism and postmodernism. Globalization, technological change and neo-liberalism underpin and are driven by each other in a continual cycle. This rapidly changing, globally connected and technologically based society is the context for clients and social workers alike. This article explores the connections between globalization, ICT and neo-liberalism. This forms the basis for critical reflection on theories, models and modes of practice in light of the changing context allowing a proactive response to the challenges that face the profession and our clients. • Findings: Irrespective of the agency of employment, social workers are faced with challenges that arise out of an ideology of outsourcing, reductionism, speed of response, accountability and cost effectiveness with a decreased value on practice wisdom and holistic approaches. However, many of our theories and models were developed at a time when social structure, political ideology and economic underpinnings were different. As such workers are left being reactive to situations with limited opportunities to influence the core issues. This has contributed to the decreasing role and value of social workers. • Application: To remain relevant social work needs to continue to influence systems for the benefit of society while reviewing and updating theories and models to reflect current lifestyles, modes and patterns of communication and the impact of globalization.

Professional development in the contemporary educational context: encouraging practice wisdom

Preparing social work students to be effective practitioners is a complex and challenging task undertaken in a dynamic environment both in terms of the field of social work and the higher education sector. There have been recommendations that self knowledge, empirical knowledge, theoretical knowledge and procedural knowledge are the keys to high standards of social work practice. This paper suggests that the concept of practice wisdom is a useful focus for integrating these different aspects of informed practice and for focusing educational programmes for social work. As practice wisdom is more about process than possessed characteristics then there are important motivational and value-based considerations in developing wise practitioners. This discussion considers motivational and personal narrative aspects of practice wisdom so that it can be integrated into social work teaching.

Mobile knowledge: driving a paradigm shift

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to challenge higher education professors and institutions to consider their role and practice in light of the changing landscape of higher education. It draws attention to the substantial changes taking place in society due to the technological and related knowledge revolution and questions the value of the current paradigm of educational practice. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual paper utilises a sociological lens to explore the future of higher education learning and teaching. It draws on a range of literature to focus on the concepts of mobile education and mobile knowledge and explores these concepts in relation to the role and function of the professor and the university and the implication for pedagogy, curriculum design and teaching practice. Findings – While changes in higher education are taking place, they are largely within the current paradigm. With knowledge freely available via technology, the university is no longer the primary holder of k...

Drivers, Affordances and Challenges of Digital Badges

Digital badges point to a significant and innovative disruption to higher education in how learning achievements will be recognised, made more visible and reach beyond institutions. Digital badges provide a means to display transparent and information-rich links directly via metadata to standards achieved, the badge issuer, the criteria for earning the badge, as well as evidence of the skill or competency the badge represents (Bowen, Open badges anatomy (post on blog Class Hack). Retrieved from http://classhack.com/post/45364649211/open-badge-anatomy-updated, 2013).

Implementing Digital Badges in Australia: The Importance of Institutional Context

The use of digital badges in the tertiary sector, while gaining some momentum, is still in its infancy with institutions just beginning to think about how they might be used. While seen as one of the emerging technologies to watch in coming years, discussion on the use of badges can be connected to various concepts around the future of higher education and approaches to learning and teaching. Within this discussion issues are raised around credentialing, micro-credentialing (and the place of higher education in this), the relationship of this to competency based education, pedagogy and the role of emerging technologies.

Youth Justice, Child Protection and the Role of the Youth Courts in the Northern Territory

Child protection and youth justice are two domains which have historically been of strong sociopolitical interest in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Within both of these domains, the courts play a central role in the complex systems through which policies become operable. Traditionally, the courts have faced difficult challenges within this context because the remoteness of much of the NT, inconsistent resourcing, cultural diversity and widespread variation in socio-economic outcomes are factors which, through their presence, have contributed to a dynamic policy context that has fluctuated between ideals of care, coercion, punishment and rehabilitation. This chapter explores the role of the courts through both exploration of current and past policies and direct reflection from 44 people who work in child protection and youth justice.

Northern Territory Social Work: Views and Approaches

Abstract The present article explores the question of what Northern Territory (NT) social workers want from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). In a dynamic social work landscape, this question is a critical one for our professional association. Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, data were obtained from 49 social workers with the primary aim of understanding their views about the AASW and what they wanted from their professional association. The findings indicate that, in general, social workers agreed with the AASWs stated objectives. Participant concerns centred on the urgent need for professional registration, access to quality Continuing Professional Education (CPE), the pursuit of social justice activities, and for the AASW to better articulate its overall role and purpose. Problematically, social workers expect the AASW to fulfil many roles and further research is required to provide a clearer, national picture.

Learning analytics in Oz: what's happening now, what's planned, and where could it (and should it) go?

This poster outlines the process and purpose of two related Australian Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) commissioned grants to investigate the current usage and future potential of learning analytics in Australian Higher Education, with a view to developing resources to guide Australian universities in their adoption of learning analytics. The commissioned grants run from February 2014 to June 2015. Preliminary results will be available for LAK 15.