Abstract
Recently the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) broad granted many graduate counselor education programs eight or more year accreditation. In order for these institutions to have been awarded its accreditation, eight core counseling areas should have been addressed in their program or university alike. For counselor education programs to enter the 21st century, technology and media devices should be embraced in all of the eight core counseling areas. The chapter examines the usefulness and effectiveness of enhanced-technology and media devices of five of the eight core counseling areas for advancement and improvement of effective skills for counselors-in-training (CIT). University web-base and audio/video media devices were the common enhanced-technology devices used among five of the core counseling areas. In addition, the school counseling program technologies were also examined. Finally, implications for counselor education are provided.
TopIntroduction
Core counseling courses mandated by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) have been the focus of training improvement by graduate counselor education programs for years. The eight core counseling education areas are: 1) professional counseling orientation and ethical practice, 2) social and cultural diversity, 3) human growth and development, 4) career development, 5) counseling and helping relationship, 6) group counseling and group work, 7) assessment and testing, 8) and research and program evaluation (CACREP, 2016). As graduate training programs entered the 21st century, technology and media devices have been used in the core academic areas to assist in advancement and improvement of effective skills for counselors-in-training (CIT). Tansey, Schopieray, Boland, Lane and Pruett (2009) implied future research such as, “technology-enhanced education will have an expanding role in the future of rehabilitation counselor education” (p. 114). Just as technology enhanced education has a future with rehabilitation counselor education, it has a future with counselor education training program using CACREP standards to guide their instructor.
Thus, the purpose of this chapter proposal will be to explore the various technology enhanced and media devices used specifically by instructors or professors who teach the five of the eight core counseling education courses. Also, this chapter will demonstrate to instructors and students how to use different sources of technology effectively to help further their counseling training and careers. The main aims for this chapter are as follows:
- 1.
To discuss the different theoretical perspectives to enhance learning through technology-assisted instruction.
- 2.
To discuss the different technology-enhanced devices used in five of the right core counseling courses.
- 3.
To discuss the effectiveness of these technology-enhanced devices used in counselor education courses.
- 4.
To discuss the different technologies used in a school counseling programs.
About Counselor Education
Computer-based learning is transforming the counseling field through new means of counseling clients and how counselor educators prepare counselors-in-training (CIT). Using the website for the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), there are 34 accredited online programs across the three areas of preparation (i.e., clinical mental health, career and school counseling) with four pending accreditation. As counselor education programs prepare to train the next generation of counselors through computer technology, counselor educators will need to be prepared to speak a new vocabulary and to demonstrate the usefulness of technology in the practice of counseling (Wilczenski & Commey, 2006).
Background
Theoretical Perspective
Enhanced-technological devices, programs and websites are continuously being used in core counselor education courses at different universities. Technological devices can be as basic as videos and computers or as advanced as Wikis to help improve counseling skills for counselors-in-training (CIT). As educators become more knowledgeable about the variety of new and innovative technology used to enhance learning through instructional activities, we may see improved student learning outcomes. In an ever-changing world of technology instructors should engage in professional development activities and read research-based studies to improve their comfort and skill level to improve the practical applications for technology-assisted instruction. Research explores a variety of theories used to explain how technology can enhance counseling skills in counselor education training programs. The theories that steer this handbook’s chapter’s focus are Vygotsky’s Theory and Activity Theory (AT).
Key Terms in this Chapter
CACREP: 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 AU40: 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 ).
Technology-Enhanced and Media Devices: “Technology provides numerous tools that teachers can use in and out of the classroom to enhance student learning” (SMU, Center for Teaching Excellence).
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 AU41: The in-text citation "Dames, 2016" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. , p. 1).
Counselors-In-Training: CIT are training counselors studying their masters degree in school, mental health and career counseling.