The Influence of Social Work in Developing an Information and Communication Technology : Using the Example of the Project TILIA – Parent Support Application
Perka, Christina (2016)
Perka, Christina
Oulun ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016080113623
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016080113623
Tiivistelmä
The product development of TILIA – Parent Support Application is a project made in
the learning program DevLAB, based on LAB Studio Model (LSM) and offered by the
Oulu University of Applied Science in Finland. The mobile application TILIA is created
by an interdisciplinary team of students, supported by a group of teachers, the
cooperation partner Nuorten Ystävät and some parents. The goal of the product is to
support parents with their challenging everyday situations when raising their children
and stay in regular contact with professionals from organisations. Another goal of this
paper is the personal learning goals during this product development process as a future
professional in social work. The combination between social work and Information and
Communication Technology is also analysed.
TILIA – Parent Support Application was developed within the frame conditions of LMS
and the theoretical background of Design Thinking combined with input of social
worker and parents to understand the need of the target group. Within research and
empathizing with the target group the team decided to build a mobile application with
following functions: Calm Down Button – for times where interaction is needed to keep
the inner balance, Mood Diary – documentation of daily feelings in certain situations,
Tips and Tools – Tips and different methods from specialists. The unique function of
the product is that the “Mood Diary” and the “Tips and Tools” can be shared with
professionals from organisations to get fast and personalized help but also to stay in
contact for better support.
The result was a prototype of the application within some functions to show how the
application could work. As a conclusion it can be said that parents and professionals are
interested to be part of a development process. Professionals such as social worker
should be part of intervention and creation and see this as an additional working field
where they have skills that should be used in this area. Also the personal goals were
reached within some lectures and teamwork experience.
the learning program DevLAB, based on LAB Studio Model (LSM) and offered by the
Oulu University of Applied Science in Finland. The mobile application TILIA is created
by an interdisciplinary team of students, supported by a group of teachers, the
cooperation partner Nuorten Ystävät and some parents. The goal of the product is to
support parents with their challenging everyday situations when raising their children
and stay in regular contact with professionals from organisations. Another goal of this
paper is the personal learning goals during this product development process as a future
professional in social work. The combination between social work and Information and
Communication Technology is also analysed.
TILIA – Parent Support Application was developed within the frame conditions of LMS
and the theoretical background of Design Thinking combined with input of social
worker and parents to understand the need of the target group. Within research and
empathizing with the target group the team decided to build a mobile application with
following functions: Calm Down Button – for times where interaction is needed to keep
the inner balance, Mood Diary – documentation of daily feelings in certain situations,
Tips and Tools – Tips and different methods from specialists. The unique function of
the product is that the “Mood Diary” and the “Tips and Tools” can be shared with
professionals from organisations to get fast and personalized help but also to stay in
contact for better support.
The result was a prototype of the application within some functions to show how the
application could work. As a conclusion it can be said that parents and professionals are
interested to be part of a development process. Professionals such as social worker
should be part of intervention and creation and see this as an additional working field
where they have skills that should be used in this area. Also the personal goals were
reached within some lectures and teamwork experience.