The Use of Course Management Software Systems in Social Work Education

Panel Description 

Panel members will discuss their experience and use with course management software systems.  Three software packages will be the focus of this presentation:  WebCT, Blackboard and Intrakal.  Panel members will present rationale for use, features and tools and how they are using the software in teaching social work courses.  An open discussion will follow in which presenters will compare and contrast the features, benefits and drawbacks of each software package.  Participants will also be invited to share experiences and ask questions

Moderator

Jo Ann Coe, Assistant Professor and Technology Coordinator

University of South Carolina

College of Social Work

Columbia SC 29208 USA

Email:  jocoe@sc.edu

http://www.cosw.sc.edu/faculty/coej.htm

 Jo Ann will cover the use of Blackboard in teaching graduate social work courses.  Her university has utilized this system for the past three years for both distance and traditional courses.

Jo Ann has taught practice and human behavior courses via interactive television and using course management software systems. She currently is teaching a human services technology course online via Blackboard software. She has been actively involved in the selection, faculty development and use of course management software systems for the College of Social Work and at the University level.

Panel Format (1.45 hours)

Panel Members and Topics

Debra Gohagan, Assistant Professor

Minnesota State University, Mankato

358 N Trafton Science Center

Department Of Social Work

Mankato, Mn 56001 USA

d.gohagan@mnsu.edu

Debra will cover the use of Intrakal in teaching undergraduate social work courses.

Debra has taught introductory social work and social policy courses, practice courses, and child welfare courses online using course management software as well as using interactive television.  She recently completed her dissertation titled "An Examination of Computer Facilitated Instruction and Teaching Pedagogy".  In her dissertation, she used 3 surveys to identify teaching styles, teaching goals and instructional strategies of faculty who use technology in their teaching and faculty who do not use technology in their teaching. 


Michael Berghoef, MSW, ACSW, Assistant Professor

Ferris State University
College of Arts and Sciences
2104 ASC
820 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI  49307
berghoem@ferris.edu

 Michael will discuss the use of WebCT in teaching undergraduate social work courses in practice, human behavior and research courses.

(See http://instruction.ferris.edu/berghoefm/) for further information.

Michael has made several conference presentations at CSWE-APM, BPD and the Technology Conference in Charleston, SC on the use of WebCT in his courses.