Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Social Work Education

Abstract

This article explores the benefits of teaching geographic information systems (GIS) technology as a tool in social work curricula. GIS software makes customized and interactive maps that can help social workers gain a better understanding of multifaceted communities. The authors present four examples of GIS applications developed by social work graduate students demonstrating the potential of GIS in social work, and they outline steps for teaching GIS in social work practice courses. Employment and other opportunities are also discussed.