Computer-based intervention
While I am a believer that face-to-face intervention is the most effective, I can see where students might be more willing to open up to a computer. Just look at some Facebook posts. People post some of the most private things there.
Interesting observation, Betsy. Won't the inability of a student to have face to face interactions be a major problem during their job search and beyond? Any thoughts on how to address this culturally based behavior?
I also prefer face to face interactions, but I do see many students from different cultural backgrounds where they find this type of interaction a little too direct for their comfort level. Even having a conversation with direct eye contact is considered too intimidating. I guess what I am getting to is that having both options available would see as if it would be the best of both worlds.
Would the anonymity of a computer based communication system be a plus or minus for the students you describe, Lila?
Agreed. Particularly true to Asian like Chinese as we told and training not to express our feelings generally it is not encourage to seek help from someone out of your family/network.
A well thought out computer based system has several advantages. Students can communicate confidentially any time 24/7. As observed above, many students are more candid on the keyboard than they are face-to-face because they aren't trying to read cues for approval - at the outset the communication is non-judgmental. It also records the problem in the student's voice and becomes part of their record.
The school is also able to administer assessments that provide insight to preferred communication style, learning style, and impediments to learning. It can be a powerful tool if used properly.
One challenge: such a system demands a timely response to the student's entry. They are asking for help and just like any other system, will dismiss the system if they don't get a response.
At first glance I were skeptical about students using a computer based system to help them discuss and resolve their issues however after careful though I realized with the increasing use of technology and social media that it will work for some students because it maybe the only way at the this point in their lives to communicate openly is through the use of a computer.
I agree that face to face intervention is most effective, however I can see that it could be enhanced by computer based intervention. Recognizing how much and how often students text rather than talk, they may be more comfortable sharing concerns with a computer than face to face.
I think that my campus would have a better heads up of what is going on with students if there was a way for them to talk to us more easly by computer or text.
