An Exploration of Avatar-Enabled Problem-Based Learning for Developing Rehabilitation Counseling Skills

• In Event: Roundtable Session 73
  In Roundtable Session: New Directions in Problem-Based Learning Research

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore rehabilitation counseling student perceptions of the effectiveness of learning counseling skills using avatar enabled problem-based learning activities (PBL) and how students rate their ability to integrate theory into their clinical decisions. Reflections include responses to daily logs, a summative open-ended survey, and a theory integration rating after each activity. This qualitative exploration focuses on students using both avatar enabled role-plays and face-to-face role-plays with and without a PBL segment. Findings include student perceptions that avatar-enabled PBL activities were real enough to learn counseling skills. Students were emotionally engaged by both activities for different reasons. After getting over their initial apprehension of using the avatar/PBL method, participants preferred it to face-to-face activities.

Authors

• Peter Blair, Utah State University

• Jared Schultz, Utah State University

• Nancy Glomb, Utah State University