Jerome R. Kolbo

Internet-based instruction as an innovative approach to managing prerequisite curriculum content in a graduate social work program

SUMMARY Students admitted to graduate social work programs possess varying levels of understanding of prerequisite curriculum content. Compounding this situation is that social work educators teaching at the foundation level are now required to provide an expanded array of curriculum content in their courses. This article conceptualizes an Internet-Based orientation course as a unique tool for preparing students with prerequisite curriculum content necessary for successful integration and mastery of a graduate curriculum. Several steps are presented in the design and development of the course: obtaining support and approval, identifying and collecting data, designing and developing course components, and implementing and evaluating the course. Although course development occurs within a social work education setting, findings from this Internet-Based orientation course are applicable to other educational and human service settings.

Application of a Cumulative Strategies Model for Drug Abuse Prevention: Exploring Choices for High Risk Children.

The current state of knowledge, as indicated by existing literature, is extremely limited in terms of published descriptions of drug abuse prevention programs targeting high risk children, such as children from drug abusing families. A Cumulative Strategies Model posits four basic principals for effective prevention for high risk children and guides prevention program design. Representing a Cumulative Strategies Model, described herein is a multicomponent prevention program that is theory-driven, risk-based, and targets children affected by familial alcohol abuse. Three components of this program and specific methods of implementing each component are discussed, and field reactions are reviewed.