Online Synchronous Technologies for Employee- and Client-Related Activities in Rural Communities

Abstract

The use of online synchronous technology (web conferencing, text chat, and video chat) by social-service agencies for employee-related activities (recruitment, training, meetings, continuing education, and supervision), and client-related activities (visitation, case management, and education/training classes) has received minimal attention in the professional literature. This article describes these technologies, their examination in the literature, and potential barriers to their use in social-service agencies. The article also reports on a survey of social-service agency administrators in an upper Great Plains state who were asked about their use of online synchronous technology for employee- and client-related activities. Results indicate minimal use of the technologies for these purposes.

KEYWORDS:

• online synchronous technology
• rural communities
• social services