School Counselors and Technology: Bridging the Gap for Student Success

Using Technology To Support The Social/Emotional Development Of Students

Social/Emotional Development. It is within the scope of practice for school counselors to provide counseling to students who are struggling with personal, academic, and career concerns (American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2015). Students have social/emotional learning (SEL) and development needs which schools can help support if they have the resources (staff and knowledge) to do so. Elias, Tobias, and Friedlander (1999) theorized the following five areas make up the skill set for emotional intelligence:

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  Be aware of one own feelings and those of others.

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  Show empathy and understand others’ point of view.

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  Regulate and cope positively with emotional and behavioral impulses.

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  Be positive goal and plan oriented.

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  Use positive social skills in handling relationships. (p. 202)

The prevalence of student mental health challenges is a very real concern to parents, teachers, and administrators (Even & Quest, 2017). As many as one in five school-aged youth experience symptoms of a mental health condition (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999; World Health Organization, 2004). Researchers have found evidence linking mental health symptoms and impairment of academic performance and achievement (Roeser, Eccles, & Strobel, 1998).