The Use of Technology in School Counseling

There are a variety of ways that technology can be utilized in the field of school counseling. The possibilities are endless! Technology can be used as an organizational tool for the counselor, a communication tool between the counselor and staff, as well as a guidance tool for students. In fact, technology can be used at all educational levels from the very young to the collegiate level.

Technology as an Organizational Tool

Technology is a great way to keep things orderly for a school counselor. A counselor’s day to day activities as well as the nature of the ‘counseling’ job often keeps them in a responsive state rather than a proactive state. Technology can make their administrative duties much more manageable. Programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook provide quick and easy forums for handling important information. For example, Microsoft Excel and Access are both excellent programs for student data collection and organization. With these programs, a counselor can track the progress of ‘at-risk’ students with data such as GPA, grades, absences, and intervention services received. The sorting and calculating capabilities of these programs also make updating and interpreting data quick and easy.

School counselors can also use Microsoft Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint to create fun and useful documents. Awards, achievement certificates, and newsletters can be created with colorful graphics and designs in Publisher. Creative guidance lessons for the classroom can be created using PowerPoint and Photo Story. PowerPoint can also be used to create informational presentations for the staff. Often times, the counselor will be asked to present or provide training at faculty meetings.

Technology as a Communication Tool

Technology can also be a very effective communication tool for the counselor. Programs such as Microsoft Outlook provide e-mail, task-keeping, and calendar capabilities that allow for quick and easy communication and organization. E-mail can also be a great way for the counselor or student peer to electronic mentor or ‘e-mentor’ students that might need affirmation, guidance and accountability (Johnson, 2008). Finally, a counselor can set-up a web site to relay important information for parents to access at home. Web-based communication saves paper and gets information to parents and students in an efficient and immediate manner.

Technology as a Guidance Tool

Finally, technology can be a great way to deliver and implement guidance lessons to students. Gaming technology is quite popular with students of all ages. The utilization of appropriate games (whether on-line or with a gaming console) can be a great therapeutic tool for the counselor. It can be used as a reward for behavioral improvements or as a tool to teach goal setting and character development in the younger elementary population (Greenidge, 2005).
Career counseling using the internet is also a great idea for seniors headed to college or to the workforce. Counselors can use the internet to administer career interest surveys and assist students in applying for college or a job with on-line applications (Sabella, 2005).

References

Greenidge, M., Daire, A. (2005). The application of gaming technology in counselor
education programs. Journal of Technology in Counseling. 4 (1). Retrieved
from: http://jtc.colstate.edu/Vol4_1/Daire2/Daire2.htm
Johnson, N. (2008). School Counselor Implementation of an electronic mentoring
e-mentoring program in a rural setting. Journal of Technology in Counseling.
5(1). Retrieved from: http://jtc.colstate.edu/Vol5_1/Johnson.htm
Sabella, R. (2005). What are school counselors doing with technology? SchoolCounselor Newsletter. Retrieved from: http://www.schoolcounselor.com/pdf/counseling-technology-activities.pdf