Abstract
Online and hybrid coursework continues to become more prevalent in counselor education, but there is little research on the perspectives of students learning through technologically based methods. Researchers sought to identify rich, descriptive data for an understanding of the impact of technology in a counseling skills course. Participants included seven masters-level counselors-in-training in a counseling skills class in a Midwest state university. Researchers conducted Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) on the role of a virtual synchronous, online, video-based, computer-guided, and simulated-client microskills program (Counseling Skills on Demand) on student anxiety and self-efficacy. CQR allowed researchers to develop a rich data set using semi-structured interviews. Results indicated that virtual skills drills appear to help counselors-in-training to differentiate between microskills and enhance critical thinking. In addition, there was evidence that the use of such online drills helps to address the developmental anxiety spike typical to skills students and assists them in growing a greater sense of selfefficacy. Counselor educators can use this information to help counselors-in-training to benefit from online skills drills early in their training while they are learning to differentiate between various microskills, and while anxiety is highest. Additionally, counselor educators may find that the use of online virtual skills drills expedite student developmental growth while improving self-efficacy.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, J. Scott; Pender, Debra A.; Myers, Charles E.; and Sheperis, Donna S.
(2019)
"Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) and Counseling Student Online Learning,"
Journal of Excellence in College Teaching and Learning: Vol. 16, Article 3.
Available at:
https://encompass.eku.edu/kjectl/vol16/iss1/3
