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Counselling distance learners: An experiment at The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Investigator(s) / AuthorsMargaret Pack
| Principal contact | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr Margaret Pack |
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Email address is not available; please contact keadmin@tepou.co.nz for more information. |
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| The research | |
| Summary | In August 1993, The Open Polytechnic decided to establish a counselling service for it's 30,000 enrolled students. A total of 368 students and 94 staff were assisted over 656 consultations. Distance learners in social work, as in other disciplines, require different kinds of contact at different times in their academic career. |
| Objectives | In August 1993, The Open Polytechnic decided to establish a counselling service for it's 30,000 enrolled students. The philosophy of the service, once established, was 'to provide a free, confidential, professional counselling service to enrolled students on any personal issue affecting study' (Promotional Material, 1993). Secondly, 'to offer vocational guidance to intending students on any personal issue affecting study' (Promotional Material, 1993). |
| Study design | A total of 368 students and 94 staff were assisted over 656 consultations. Every staff member and student using the service was sent a brief questionnaire to complete and forward back to the Manager, Student Services. |
| Methods | Survey |
| Results | Of the 115 students who returned completed questionnaires, 72% stated that they 'felt better', after having contact with the counsellor; 98% said they felt the counsellor had clearly understood their problem, and 99% said they would recommend contact with the service to friends or colleagues. |
| Conclusions | Distance learners in social work, as in other disciplines, require different kinds of contact at different times in their academic career. The experience at Open Polytechnic and Massey University to date suggests the benefits of providing a range of support mechinisms for students studying at a distance. How this could be most effectively implemented in other learning institutions is a question for further consideration and discussion. Social Work Review, 1995, 16-18. |
| Key Descriptors | Coping Strategies, Intervention/Treatment |
| Disciplines | Social Work, Multi disciplinary |
| Settings | Community |
| Diagnostic Categories | Mood & Affective Disorders |
| Populations | General Population |
| Other Keywords | Counselling, education, social work, distance learning, welfare, clinical psychology |
| Ethics approval | Yes |
| Academic led | Yes |
| Service led | No |
| How were service users involved | No involvement |
| Publication in peer review journal | Yes |
| Supporting information | |
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Page last updated: 7 November 2008