Technology is just as important in counseling as it is in any other career. There are many ways to use technology in education. It begins in the classroom where the students are getting hands on experience. Lessons are being taught using technology and many feel it is next to impossible to teach without technology. Next, the offices of the schools use technology to store and organize information. School counselors needs technology as well. There are many different jobs of the school counselor. This information needs to be sorted, organized and stored in order to be an effective counselor.
We all know that employees use computers in order to receive and send messages, read company newsletters, etc., but what else is important for counselors? According to the article Technology: School Counselor Attitudes, Experiences and Competency by Miller, McGlothin and Rainy, data that is put into the system such as grades, conduct and attendance can be easily sorted and searched for certain patterns in order to pull the students who are experiencing trouble (2008). This allows the administration to catch a problem as quick as possible without the child getting too far behind or losing sight of why they are in school. Counselors are there to help the child get an education and computers are helping to make sure this happens.
Another suggestion from the article was to use computer games with children who are feeling threatened. Having a student use the games to confront their issues can help build courage and confidence in whatever area is the issue. For instance, if a child’s parents are going through a divorce and the child feels he/she has been holding in their feelings this can definitely affect their school work. Have a program available that can give the child a safe zone to confront the parents with his/her thoughts.
Not only are computer games being used for students, but there are also games that have been tailored to meet the needs of new and upcoming counselors. Counselors face various issues throughout a day. A computer game by Purdue University gives different scenarios and the virtual counselor must help to solve the issues (Purdue University, January 2011). The scenarios vary from bullying to suicide. Although this is far from actuality, it can definitely help to give a counselor an idea of what to expect. The following article discusses the benefits of using software http://www.ericdigests.org/1992-3/risk.htm.
Microsoft OneNote is one type of organizational tool that can be used for many of the jobs that a counselor has. This is a central place to store notes, pictures, websites, and anything else that could be written down in an actual notebook. Some examples of how counselors may use OneNote are to store the notes from a conference, the schedule for next week, schedules for the students, tardies, etc. OneNote can also be used for group collaboration (Microsoft, 2010). Some cases may require more than one person to guide a student in the right direction. Therefore, including administration and the teachers may be more beneficial. Having a OneNote file will allow the team to send the data back and forth adding various reports and assessments in order to get everyone on the same page while at the same time avoiding scheduling a meeting with all involved.
Technology is always going to be a part of education and the career world. Knowing what is out there and how to use it can ease the stress on a counselor. Technology can open many windows and will also have you on the same page as your client, the student. They are the generation of technology.
Work Cited
Purdue University. 2011. Retreived June 19, 2011. Purdue-developed 'serious game' aids school counselors with suicide prevention. http://www.itap.purdue.edu/newsroom/detail.cfm?NewsId=2095
McGothlin, J., Miller, L. & Rainey, S. (2008). Technology: School counselor attitudes, experiences and competency. Journal of Counseling in Technology,5(1).
Microsoft. 2011. Retreived June 19, 2011. Take note: Key reasons to consider ms onenote. thttp://www.officearrow.com/software-and-web-tools/take-note-key-reasons-to-consider-ms-onenote-oaiur-3364/view.html
Counseling with technology
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