The counseling field has been hesitant to the use of technology for many acceptable reasons. However, I just found a website that may change the minds of many of those who are still hesitant.
This website contains content that is organized like a journal with the most recent posts on top and meets the criteria for a blog (Downes, 2009). This blog also contains some popular features in blogs such as categories, tags, and links to other resources. This blog was actually started by Danielle Schultz, while she was in graduate school training to become a school counselor. On her blog, she states that she started blogging after constantly searching for ideas and activities to use with her students as an intern.
I can see this blog as being beneficial to use in my teaching in several ways. First, this blog is an excellent resource for students who are getting ready to begin their Practicum or Internship Field Experience. They can find ideas by grade level and topic. Not only does the blog have a ton of resources, but it also posts about current issues in the field. I think having students comment on posts and participate in discussion can help students as they are developing professional identity. The author of the blog, Danielle, also allows for guests posts so, I could also create an assignment where students were required to submit a post to the author of the blog as an assignment. This will help students develop professional identity and give them confidence by helping them to go through the process of developing a post. Not to mention, the excitement and pride of a student if/when their post is accepted and submission. In the field of counseling where consultation is so important, blogs can be a great addition to course content.
What other sites or blogs do you find beneficial in your teaching?
Dr. Shavers,
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about School Counselor Blog and for sharing it with your students! I would love the opportunity to connect with you and your students.
As a side note, School Counselor Blog and SCOPE are hosting a Twitter Chat tonight (9/6)! We are planning on hosting one chat per month. http://www.schcounselor.com/2011/09/expand-your-professional-learning.html
I look forward to connecting with you and your students!
Danielle and Erin, thanks so much for your enthusiasm and comments. I am pushing myself to use the wealth of resources that are available to help my students as they develop as counselors. I will send you both a message. I am eager to see how we may be able to connect.
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