Teaching Counseling Skills Using Interactive Television: Observations from a Rehabilitation Counseling Classroom

Abstract

A review of the rehabilitation counseling literature revealed a dearth of information clinical skill development using distance education mediums. A case study of a Rehabilitation Counseling Practicum I class that used Interactive Television (ITV), a synchronous distance education medium, was undertaken at a large southwestern university. The purpose of the study was to explore, using a qualitative approach, the use of ITV to deliver a counseling skill course to rehabilitation counseling education students. Many studies have examined students' perceptions of distance education, but no studies were found describing the use of ITV in teaching counseling skills via distance education. Using field observations, three major themes were identified: learning environment, skill building, and interactions.