The University of Southern California School of Social Work, ranked among the top 10 social work schools in the United States, is revolutionizing the field of social work through its innovative use of advanced technology to train and prepare future social workers. Whether using patient avatars to train students on the mental health needs of soldiers returning from war, or delivering education via a newly opened, web-based Virtual Academic Center, the USC School of Social Work is breaking new ground in social work practice.

"Our country faces an increasing need for specially-trained social workers in a number of emerging areas, including health care, veterans' mental health services and gerontology," said Paul Maiden, vice dean and professor at the USC School of Social Work. "The school's use of sophisticated technology to teach our students allows us to maximize the educational experience and provide extremely valuable, supplemental instruction not thought possible 10 years ago."

The USC School of Social Work will be providing hands-on, live demonstrations of the newest innovative technology available to its students at the upcoming Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) conference at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oct. 16, 2010 from 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m. The demonstrations will highlight:

- Virtual Iraq – Recent studies estimate that nearly one in five military personnel back from deployment report symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and that the rate of suicides among veterans is increasing every year. Recognizing the need to train social workers to address burgeoning mental health issues, the USC School of Social Work partnered with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) to use the institute's virtual, immersive environment for treatment of PTSD as part of student training. Developed by ICT Psychologist Dr. Skip Rizzo, this simulated environment recreates the war zone where trauma was experienced, allowing patients to work through their fears with a social worker and begin the healing process. "Virtual Iraq," which was adapted from the Full Spectrum Warrior video game, will be demonstrated live on Oct. 16, where guests will be able to experience the simulation first-hand using its virtual reality goggles, gun-shaped joystick, scent machines and vibrating platform. Click here to view an excerpt http://www.youtube.com/uscict#p/a/u/1/Wbtj_R5oN5w

- Virtual Academic Center – Taking advantage of advancements in social networks and face-to-face, "Skype-like" interactive technology, this month the USC School of Social Work launched its Virtual Academic Center. The center offers students the same master of social work degree available on campus, but does so via web-based technology. The web-based platform – unlike any other currently offered by a social work school in the U.S. – features live, virtual classes between faculty and students, online presentations, videos, and interactive study groups and chat sessions. The web-based degree program also includes hands-on training and field education placements in local communities, just like the on-campus experience. The CSWE demonstration of the Virtual Academic Center will invite guests "into the classroom" to experience in real time the future of web-based education. See highlights of the center's program at http://sowkweb.usc.edu/academic/mswatusc-video.html

- Virtual Patient Program - The virtual patient is an avatar-based simulation program designed to replicate the experiences of veterans exposed to combat stress and to help prepare students to interact with real clients. Through conversations with digital avatars, created using USC ICT's virtual human technology, students hone their clinical and interviewing skills to prepare them for future interactions with soldiers returning from war. A collaboration between the school's Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families and ICT, the virtual patient program is supported by a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. During the demonstration, guests will be able to interview and interact with virtual patient Lieutenant Rocco, just as social work students will do as part of their training at USC. Click to view an interview excerpt with a virtual patient at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91zdrNL-HDU

About the USC School of Social Work
The University of Southern California's School of Social Work (www.usc.edu/socialwork) ranks among the nation's top 10 social work graduate programs and maintains the oldest social work master's and Ph.D. programs in the West. With its reputation for educational excellence, cultural diversity and significant research funding, the school prepares students for leadership roles in public and private organizations that serve individuals, families and communities in need. The USC School of Social Work was the first to endow a center for interdisciplinary social work research – the Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human Services – and remains a pioneer in translational research, experiential learning and academic innovation.

About the USC Institute for Creative Technologies
At the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies (ict.usc.edu), high-tech tools and classic storytelling come together to pioneer new ways to teach and to train. Historically, simulations focus on drills and mechanics. What sets ICT apart is a focus on human interactions and emotions—areas that are recognized as increasingly important in developing critical thinking and decision-making skills. ICT is a world leader in developing virtual humans who think and behave like real people and in creating immersive environments to experientially transport participants to other places. ICT technologies include virtual reality applications for mental health treatment and training, videogames for U.S soldiers to hone negotiation and cultural awareness skills and virtual human museum guides who teach science concepts to young people.