Reimagining the relationship between social work and information communication technology in the network society

Australia is experiencing a period of immense cultural change predicated on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). New devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and the social iterations of the internet are impacting on communication patterns and contributing to the merging of people's online and offline lives. Using Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells's theory of the Network Society as a theoretical foundation, this issues paper posits that social work must overcome its historical reluctance to embrace ICT if it is to remain relevant in the era of the network society. In particular, we argue that social work professionals need to begin a dialogue with IT developers, social service managers, and funding bodies about the need for practice-led ICT systems. This paper examines the turbulent history social work has had with technological change, and concludes that the adoption of a practice-led approach to ICT use in education, practice, and research provides a strong foundation for reimagining the relationship between social work and ICT.

从信息通讯技术的使用看，澳大利亚正在经历巨大的文化变迁。智能手机、平板电脑、互联网的社会迭代等等新手段，都影响着人们的通讯方式，整合着他们的线上和线下生活。本文根据西班牙社会学家马钮埃·卡斯泰尔的网络社会理论指出，社会工作如果想要在网络社会时代仍有用武之地，就必须放下成见，拥抱信息通讯技术。作者特别强调，社会工作专业人员需要就实用性的信息通讯技术系统和IT开发商、社会服务管理者以及融资机构进行对话。本文考察了社会工作与技术变迁之间吵吵闹闹的历史。作者的结论是，以实用为导向将信息通讯技术用于教育、实践及研究，可以为社会工作重新构想与信息通讯技术的关系打下坚实的基础。

© 2014 Australian Association of Social Workers.