The Impact and Efficacy of E-Counselling in an Open Distance Learning Environment: A Mixed Method Exploratory Study

Autor/in	Wells, Rossano
Titel	The Impact and Efficacy of E-Counselling in an Open Distance Learning Environment: A Mixed Method Exploratory Study
Quelle	In: Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 37 (2023) 2, S.155-172 (18 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	8756-8225
DOI	10.1080/87568225.2021.1924098
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Technology Uses in Education; Computer Mediated Communication; Information Technology; School Counseling; Open Universities; Distance Education; College Students; Student Attitudes; Academic Support Services; Academic Advising; Efficiency; Educational Benefits; Quality Assurance; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Computerkonferenz; Informationstechnologie; School counselling; Pädagogische Beratung; Offene Universität; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Collegestudent; Schülerverhalten; Akademischer Rat; Effectiveness; Effektivität; Wirkungsgrad; Bildungsertrag; Qualitätssicherung; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	This paper reports on the findings of a study which sought to investigate the impact and efficacy of technology-based counseling offered by the University of South Africa (Unisa), an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution. The study focused specifically on student perceptions of the services they had received from professionals based in the Gauteng regional center, in the context of academic admissions and support, career indecision, financial and psychosocial challenges. A client satisfaction questionnaire was administered to 30 students. The theoretical framework for the study was Activity theory, which is a philosophical and cross-disciplinary framework for studying different forms of human practices as development processes, with both individual and social levels interlinked simultaneously. A mixed-method approach was adopted to explore participants' experiences and perceptions of e-counseling. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Open-ended responses contained in the questionnaire, were subjected to qualitative analysis using the Atlas.ti program. Accessibility, convenience, and efficiency were highlighted as significant benefits of e-counseling. Results of the study suggest that while e-counseling should not be construed as a substitute for traditional, face-to-face counseling and psychotherapy, particularly in respect of more severe emotional and psychological challenges, it can be a useful adjunct to traditional modes of practice. The study also has important quality assurance implications for student counseling practice in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions, particularly with respect to informing online ethical imperatives. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01