Technology Plan

Department of Social Work 

2004-2006

Departmental Information  

        The Department of Social Work baccalaureate degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through February 2008.  The department is composed of seven full-time faculty, one part-time instructor, and six adjunct instructors.  BSW courses are offered on the Natchitoches, Shreveport, Leesville, Alexandria campuses, via Compressed Video, and the Internet.  The Department occupies 4 classrooms on the Natchitoches campus, one (1) of which is equipped with permanent installed technology.  .  Currently, the Department has 363 majors actively attending NSU, according to information obtained from the Registrar’s office.  A total of 66 students graduated during the 2003 - 2004 academic year.  The Department provides field instruction (internships) to graduating seniors.  The principal focus of field instruction is to develop skills in the problem-solving process while engaging in the delivery or development of social services.  The Department has contractual internship agreements with 102 agencies located within 20 parishes throughout the state. 

            For the past 12 years the Department has been awarded in access of $2,000,000 in conjunction with the Title IV-E Child Welfare Contract.  This contract provides an expense-free opportunity to Office of Community Services (OCS) employees to further their education in relation to their current employment.  Furthermore, undergraduate BSW students with senior standing interested in working with child welfare are selected to receive a one-time stipend award of $4,800.  In 2001, the Department, in conjunction with the LSU School of Work designed and implemented a part-time Master of Social Work degree program via compressed video.  The purpose was to accommodate NSU graduates, residing in the Natchitoches region, with an opportunity to continue their education without having to relocate.  These classes are offered at the Natchitoches and Alexandria Campuses.  In Spring 2003, eighty-five students received their MSW from LSU School of Social Work.  Of this eighty-five, 21 were alumni of Northwestern’s BSW program.    In 2002, in conjunction with NSU’s Department of Psychology and the Louisiana State Substance Abuse Board, the Department implemented a program to provide educational component for students who are interested in becoming Certified Licensed Substance Abuse Counselors and Certified Licensed Substance Abuse Specialist for certification.

Objectives:

1.      Each faculty member to have laptop computers equipped with wireless computer network.

2.      Each faculty office to be equipped with up-to-date desktop computers, flat-screen monitors, printers, and Internet accessibility. 

3.      Equip classrooms (205, 220, 308, 310) with Internet accessibility, the latest in media, and power point delivery. 

4.      Properly train faculty in the use of equipment.

5.      Cooperate fully with the Office of Information Systems and other entities on Campus that provide services, hardware, and software.

6.      Acquire traveling equipment to facilitate statewide continuing education.

Assessments:

1.      During the spring semester, the departmental inventory is completed.  This documents the presence and location of all technological equipment.

2.      Faculty document training on their annual Faculty Activity Report.

Conclusions:

1.      Presently all but one faculty member has an up to date desktop computer. 

2.      All faculty members have laptop computers that can be utilized on a wireless network if configured to do so.

3.      Room 220 is equipped with a computer and peripherals.  It has internet access.  We have a camera to record lectures that has never been installed.  Recently the flat screen monitor was stolen from the classroom.  We have replaced it with an old color monitor that is functioning appropriately.  Additionally there is a television and VCR.

4.      Faculty are attending workshops provided by the University.

5.      The department is cooperating with OIS and other entities that provide services, hardware and software.

6.      Recently the department acquired an In Focus projector that only requires a USB drive, not a computer.  We are currently waiting for the Office of Information Systems to install the software on each faculty members computer so the equipment can be utilized.