ONLINE COUNSELLING IN ANAMBRA STATE: PROSPECTS, CHALLENGES AND EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the prospects and challenges of online counseling in Anambra State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted. The population comprised all 20 Guidance and Counseling lecturers (9 in COOU and 11 in NAU) in Anambra State public universities. They were not sampled. Three research questions guided the study. A 20-item structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The instrument was tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha and an overall reliability coefficient of 0.73 was obtained.
Data were analyzed using mean. The findings indicated that online counseling in Anambra State had prospects such as ease of access, more thoughtful and organized sessions, among others. It was recommended that counselors should utilize online counseling since it can be accessed by people needing the service, among others.
Keywords: Counseling, Online Counseling, Prospect, Challenge, Strategy
Paschal Uche Okeke
paschalucheokeke@gmail.com
Prof. Ifeoma Obi
Ifyobi25@yahoo.com
Madubugwu Nathaniel Lotanna
lotanath@gmail.com
All authors from Educational Foundations Department,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam