Essential Skills for Effective Student Counselling


Course Description

In the dynamic landscape of Open and Distance Learning, learners often encounter a myriad of challenges that could trigger a high attrition rate. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of distance learners, this short course aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the essential principles and practices of student counselling. As we embark on this learning journey together, we will explore the fundamental theories and techniques in counselling, and the role of a student counsellor, delve into effective communication strategies, and navigate the complexities of record-keeping, and learner support services. All these activities would culminate into a 2-Week Practicum for all participants to interact with distance learners and present their experiences during the encounter. So, together, let's unlock educational opportunities for our students and guide them toward a path of resilience, self-discovery, and overall well-being.

  Welcome Video
Course Content

Week 1

  • Introduction
  • Course Description
  • Course competencies
  • Course Learning Outcomes
  • Facilitators

Week 2

Topic 1: Principles and Organization of Guidance and Counselling

  • The Concept of Guidance and Counselling
  • Types of Counselling
  • Approaches to Counselling

Topic 2:Types of Guidance Services

  • Guidance Services
  • Comparing Guidance and Counselling

Topic 3: Types of counselling

  • Types of counselling
  • Online Counselling
  • Counselling Services

Topic 4: The Roles of a Student Counsellor in Open and Distance Learning

  • The Student Counsellor  
  • Roles of a Student Counsellor in Open and Distance Learning

Week 3

Topic 5:Counselling theories and implications in student counselling in ODL

  • Counselling Theories
  • The Behavioural Counselling Theory (BCT)

Topic 6:Stages of Counselling Process

  • Concept of Guidance and Counselling

Topic 7:Counselling Skills and Techniques

  • Abilities to be developed by a counsellor
  • Counselling Techniques

Week 4

Topic 8:Communication in Student Counselling

  • What is communication?
  • Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills
  • Barriers to Effective Communication 
  • How to Develop Active Listening Skills  

Topic 9:Interpersonal Relationships in the Counselling Process

  • Meaning of Interpersonal Relationships 
  • Interpersonal Relationship Skills
  • Important points to note in counselling relationships

Topic 10:Ethics in Counselling

  • The importance of ethics in counselling  
  • Ethical Principles in Counselling 

Week 5

Topic 11:Understanding Distance Learners’ Characteristics and Needs

  • Distance Learners’ Portraits
  • General Characteristics
  • Specific Entry Characteristics: Demographic factors 
  • Analysing Learners’ Needs

Topic 12:Concept of Learner Support Services

  • What constitutes learner support services?
  • Implications of Learner Support Services on NOUN Operations

Topic 13:Types of Learner Support Services

  • Types of learner support services in ODL

Week 6

Topic 14:Record-Keeping in Counselling

  • Concepts and Components of Record Keeping in Counselling 
  • Guidelines for Keeping Records in Counselling 
  • Ethical Considerations in Keeping Counselling Records 

Topic 15:Types of Counselling Records

  • The Concept of Records 
  • Types of Counselling Records

Topic 16:Roles of records in student counselling

  • The Roles of Records in Counselling

Topic 17:Record Keeping in Learner Support Services

  • Justify the Need for Record-Keeping in Learner Support Services

Week 7

Topic 18:Counselling on Choice of Programmes

  • 10 Important Things to Consider

Topic 19:Details of Programmes and Fees in NOUN

  • Programmes in NOUN
  • Fees in NOUN

Topic 20:Counselling on Study Skills in Open and Distance Learning

  • Types of Distance Learners that you Might Need to Interact with
  • Techniques of Effective Study / Study Strategies

Topic 21:Student Facilitation and Learning Resources in NOUN

  • Online Facilitation
  • Facilitator
  • Learning resources

Weeks 8 & 9

Practicum

Week 10

Review of Submission. End of the Course

Course Audience
The recently converted student counsellors, who are saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with learners at study centers across the country. 
Course Competencies

At the completion of this short course, participants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate effective counselling skills with individual learners or groups of learners
  • Apply the principles of theories of counselling in counselling distance learners
  • Demonstrate the ability to use effective communication skills in counselling
  • Analyse the characteristics of a distance learner
  • Provide effective learner support services to learners in an ODL institution
  • Utilise appropriate counselling techniques to respond to issues raised by distance learners
  • Demonstrate competence in counselling various types of groups using appropriate and relevant group counselling skills
  • Demonstrate competence in conducting counselling with appropriate awareness of ethical issues.
  • Keep counselling records in all areas of learner support services
  • Demonstrate competence in providing information support and disseminating information to students, including information about the choice of courses, admission criteria, various programmes and fees, study skills for distance learners, online facilitation and learning resources available to learners in NOUN, TMA/exam structure, library resources, etc.
Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants/trainees will be able to:

  • Analyse the concepts of guidance and counselling
  • Identify the basic principles relating to each of the theories of counselling
  • Apply the principles of the theories of counselling to practical situations
  • Discuss the implications of the theories of counselling for counselling practices
  • Assist distance learners who need counselling
  • Organise online counselling for distance learners
  • Apply counselling techniques in solving issues raised by distance learners
  • Communicate effectively with learners during a counselling session
  • Develop strategies for counselling students in various situations
  • Provide appropriate learner support services to learners to reduce the attrition rate
  • Explain the ethical issues associated with counselling students
  • Explain the importance of school guidance services
  • Describe the dynamics associated with the group process
  • Explain the roles, functions, and types of record-keeping in student counselling
  • Analyze the processes involved in keeping counselling records and keeping records in learner support services
Facilitators

  • Prof. Bamikole Ogunleye             Dean, Faculty of Education
  • Prof. Rotimi Ogidan
  • Prof. Olugbenga Ojo
  • Prof. Fidel Okopi
  • Prof. Augustine Ukwueze
  • Prof. Ibrahim Aminu
  • Prof. Rosemary Ogbodo
  • Prof. Dorothy Ofoha
  • Dr. Chinwe Ihuoma
  • Dr. Sefinat Omuya
  • Dr. Musa Ibrahim
  • Dr. Supo Bamidele
  • Dr. Ibraheem Adediran
  • Felix Kayode Olakulehin
  • Dr. John Oparaduru
  • Dr. Lukuman Bello                       Instructional Designer