Abstract
Group counseling is one of the core counseling courses which students need in order to receive their degrees. As group counseling is an experiential course, counselor educators must think strategically and creatively when developing this course to be delivered online to ensure that positive outcomes are achieved. Hence, this chapter explores the development, implantations and lessons learned from such a course. We will specifically discuss the integration of WebEx, MindTap/Coursemate, and a residency component that enhances the delivery of this master's level group counseling online course and by encouraging active engagement of both the students and instructor alike. The development and implementation of the online group course is guided by Bandura's theory. An informal evaluation from a previous online group counseling course using these modes will also be discussed. Implications for instructors and students will be included.
TopIntroduction
Active student engagement (ASE) has been around for many years and since the invention of the internet and advancements in technology it has, in part or fully, shifted to the electronic world. As traditional courses have been taught face-to-face the group counseling course is one of those courses that may have some difficulty of being taught fully online because of its experiential component. Teaching group counseling online can be one of the most challenging experiences and a new phenomenon for novice and veteran counselor educators or more specifically group counseling instructors. Lopresti (2010) noted performing online group counseling for master’s students have some difficulty and some concerns with its online delivery. In addition, Suler (2000) and Lester (2008) indicated the use of a person-centered theory are hindered because of the lack of observing verbal and visual cues. Also, the addiction to technology can cause depression and suicidal ideation of students as online learners. Therefore, the combination of the delivery of this group counseling course with the use of WebEx, Mindtap/CourseMate and a Residency component may help decrease major concerns on instructors teaching and learners taking group counseling online.
Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to provide a forum to inform instructors on the combination of teaching a group counseling online using WebEx, MindTap/Coursemate, and the residency component. Furthermore, this chapter will assist students on how to actively engage in this unique forum to obtain and maintain excellent student outcomes. The main aim for this chapter are as follows:
- 1.
To explore the theoretical perspectives of active student engagement using online components.
- 2.
To discuss how to integrate WebEx in teaching a group counseling online course.
- 3.
To discuss how to use MindTap/CourseMate into the online component of a group counseling course.
- 4.
To discuss the use of a residency component to help with the delivery of a 95% online course
- 5.
To reveal results from a midterm informal evaluation from an online group counseling course using the three components.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Active Student Engagement: “Active learning is the process of involving all students in activities that encourage them to develop a deeper understanding of content by working with and reflecting upon the material being presented” ( Active Learning/Student Engagement, 2016 , n.p.).
MindTap: “An online, personalized learning experience built on Cengage Learning’s content that combines student learning tools—readings, multimedia, activities, and assessments—into a Learning Path that guides students through their course. Instructors can personalize the experience by customizing Cengage Learning content and learning tools, including adding their own content via apps that integrate into the MindTap framework with Learning Management Systems” ( Massey, 2016 , p. 2).
Group Counseling: “This course is designed to provide an understanding of the dynamics, processes, and functions of group work in guidance activities and in counseling. Students will be able to identify the therapeutic forces for behavioral change within a counseling group. They will demonstrate the skills to lead a group, and through participation in a group, demonstrate their ability for interaction and growth” ( Dames, 2016 , p. 1).
Residency: Residency is a mini-course workshop were students come to campus to become familiar with the campus, perform any skills such as conduct a group and also be observed for any dispositions students may display during this time.
CACPREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs: “ CACREP accreditation is both a process and a status. Institutional application for CACREP accreditation denotes a commitment to program excellence. The accreditation process incorporates programs’ self-assessment along with external review to determine if and how program standards are being met. Accredited status indicates to the public at large that a program is fulfilling its commitment to educational quality” (CACPREP, 2016 AU51: The in-text citation "CACPREP, 2016" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. , http://www.cacrep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/2016-Standards-with-Glossary-rev-2.2016.pdf ).