new technology in the human services

NTHS 10(3) pp19-20 1997

Tony Pipe is a probation officer working in Manchester . Geraldine Earley is a qualified social worker with experience of residential care.

Contact them at:

Greater Manchester Probation Service,
Oaklands House,
Talbot Road,
Manchester M16 0PQ

Keisha - A Case Simulation in Failure to Thrive

Reveiwed by Tony Pipe and Geraldine Earley

Description of the software

Keisha is an interactive, multimedia, computer-based simulation developed for the Children’s Protective Services Training Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. It was developed by a team consisting of Dick Schoech; Ph.D., project co-ordinator, Monica Williams, MSSW, Simulation Developer; Ann Wilder, Resource Base Developer; and Rosemary Satterwhite, MSSW, Subject Matter Expert. Although I have experience of both computer program development and social work, Child Protection is not an area of special expertise and I was therefore assisted in this review by Geraldine Earley. She has extensive experience with children received into residential care and has also just completed her Masters degree in Social Work thus being able to give perspective as a recent student.

The very first comment I would like to make about Keisha is that it is an excellent piece of work that clearly illustrates the potential for computer based programs to aid the process of learning. The process of assessing Keisha was facilitated by the developers stating very clearly what the objectives of their project. These were:

1) To allow users to experience the complexities of working a real Failure To Thrive (FTT) case.

2) To allow users to make mistakes while working a FTT case without harming a client or themselves.

3) To allow users to discover and apply knowledge required to work a FTT case.

4) To allow users to construct a case record from the knowledge base discovered while working a FTT case

5) To provide constant monitoring and feedback.

6) To reinforce good judgement in the order of events when working an FTT case.

7) To improve judgement in working a FTT case by comparing user judgement to expert judgement.

Having worked through the program a number of times I feel that Keisha manages to fulfil all its objectives. The program consists of four modules which take approximately half an hour each to work through. The modules are 1) the referral, 2) the home visit, 3) casework activity and 4) forms and feedback. The modules are worked through by a process of ‘discovery’, that is, a situation is set by the computer and the individual investigates the material provided to formulate a judgement as to how to proceed. At all times assistance is available, this comes in a variety of forms including a filing cabinet full of appropriate information, a supervisor and expert opinion. This process does allow an experience of FTT work that is safe, structured and fosters the use of ‘best practice’ throughout. The process of working through the simulation promotes the acquisition of a sound knowledge base, the ability to be aware of correct procedures and policies and the development of improved judgement.

The program arrived on five floppy disks accompanied by a short manual. The program was easy to install and worked first time. The only suggestion at this stage would be to include an uninstall facility which worked from a single mouse click rather than the process described in the manual.

The screens were very clear, pleasingly laid out and the instructions were accurate and easy to follow. The program features ‘Roll Over’ techniques which allow the user to move the mouse around the screens and activate various features by passing over ‘Hot Spots’. There is extensive use of graphics, which are excellent, and at certain stages photographic images can be viewed. The use of these images is integral to the program and enhances the learning process and, as such, careful attention needs to paid to ensure that they are as clear and detailed as possible. My personal opinion is that one of the most impressive features of the whole program is the quality and accessibility of the information available from the ‘electronic’ filing cabinet. If the techniques used in Keisha were to be adapted to constructing a practice tool as opposed to a teaching tool, the availability of consistently high quality, accurate information in an easily retrievable form should lead to an improvement in the quality of service delivered. The program also contains a number of light-hearted ways of making important points; the user can choose to take a coffee break when necessary to relieve what is, even in simulation, a stressful situation; a spinning top is provided with the same aim and the user can choose between an Owl and a Shark to represent their supervisor. Attention to issues of race and gender are addressed by allowing the user to choose an appropriate image to represent themselves but this is slightly tarnished by the fact that virtually all workers are represented as being female until one gets to the exalted position of Specialist hospital doctor (and should the doctor be portrayed smoking?).

When working through the simulation the intention is that material should be studied, information obtained, judgements made and that these should then be checked against the Expert Opinion provided by the program. It is, however, possible to go straight to the Expert Opinion without the preceding steps, but even this method of progression provides a powerful learning experience. All four modules provide excellent material, taxing exercises and stimulating interactions. There are places in the simulations where it would have been helpful to be able to repeat certain tasks (i.e. making a second call to the Hospital Social Worker) but such detail did not detract from the overall impression of a very good program. Some aspects are very clearly set specifically for the Texas Child Protection Service but I understand that a degree of specific ‘tailoring’ can be done, particularly in reference to the forms used. There is such a wealth of excellent information contained within the program that it may be a useful addition to add the facility to print out sections of it.

Overall, I was very impressed with this program. It took some four thousand hours to produce and this is reflected in the general quality, attention to detail and depth of available information. Geraldine Earley and myself would both commend its use as a powerful learning aid.


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Last updated 3 November 2000

The journal has now ceased publication (2003)