Teaching Technology Competencies: A Social Work Practice With Technology Course

This article discusses a framework for training social work students to effectively engage in practice with technology throughout their careers. A competency-driven, activity-based approach using experiential learning is proposed to educate students with varying degrees of comfort with technologies and with intention to practice across different levels of social work. Five overarching competencies derived from existing literature related to social work practice and technology are presented, and the outline of a master’s-level course developed and piloted in summer 2018 is shared. These competencies are continuing engagement, online professionalism, assessing risks and opportunities, applying professional ethics, and thoughtful integration into practice. Future directions for social work education, practice, and research are outlined.