CounselBuddy

Counselbuddy

ondemand guidance counseling

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ABOUT ME

The Problem

The Solution

Why Mobility?

App Features

Tech and Human Needs

CONTENT

References

Steve values opportunity and accessbility for young people in their pursuit of educational futures. He is always in pursuit of programs and technology that enable youth to navigate the educational world with mentorship and support.

Steve's experience and engagement with families have taught him that students and parents often do not have the direct support they desire, and that in-school support is simply not possible to the degree that some families need.

VALUES

EXPERIENCE

GOALS

• Accessibility

• Opportunity

• Connection

• Technological Support

• Personalization

Steve Acree

Steve has nearly 20 years experience as a teacher and administrator. As a Vice-Principal and Director of Guidance, he developed the Guidance Program in a growing Independent School. He believes that we can do better at providing guidance counseling support to our youth.

BA

BEd

'24

MET

The Problem

Looking for Support

A 2018 CBC article examined accessibility to guidance counseling in high schools. The Stats? The average guidance counselor-to-student ratio in Ontario is 396:1, as high as 800:1 in some schools. Currently, in Kelowna Senior Secondary, a school of 1900+ students, there are 3 teacher-counselors listed on its website, a ratio of more than 600:1. This is problematic for students with post-secondary potential.More than a Canadian problem, the national average ratio of guidance counselors to students in the USA was 408:1 in 2023 (Prothero, 2023) despite the official goal of 250:1. This shortfall is often reflected differently in schools depending on socio-economic status, resulting in "unequal access to college and the lack of guidance for low-income students." (Simonton, 2019)As high school students move through adolescence and look ahead to their next steps, guidance counselors play a significant role in building self-confidence, valuing education, effectively using time, setting goals, and understanding steps to achieving those goals. They "impact student behavior in high school, course-taking, high school graduation, whether and where students attendCollege, and persistence, majors, and degree completion in college." (Mulhern, 2022) In short, guidance counseling is a significant part of the educational journey, and when it is lacking it may heavily impact the future potential of students.Finally, parents of high school students may also be uncertain of the steps, value, and outcomes of education. Their desire to be part of the discussion is often not met as their child's interactions with guidance counselors are not conducted with them present, if at all.

The SOLUTION

Making Resources Available

Increasing in-school access to guidance counseling is the responsibility of governing bodies, schools, and districts. There are, however, resources that can be harnessed outside of those institutions.The internet and social media is packed with posts about earning extra money, and educators are a prime target of these posts. Whether it's affiliate marketing or other schemes, opportunities are presented in abundance.Many educators recognize that their greatest asset may be their educational experience, and they choose to use their personal time to tutor and earn extra income using the skills they already possess. Online tutoring is a field that has grown and become more mobile over the last number of years.Guidance counselors also offer a skillset that is useable outside the confines of schools, and one solution to the lack of guidance counselor access is to create a mobile and open connection with these experts for students and their families.An app to connect students and families with guidance counselors willing to engage in a tutor-style arrangement in a mobile and on-demand manner should exist to help solve the shortfall that exists within schools and their working hours.

WHY MOBILITY?

Mobile Devices Rule!

Mobile devices are increasingly the average individual's connection point. In the education world, apps such as the Varsity Tutors aid students in connecting for live tutoring and subject instruction. The mobile trend is driven by such products as social media apps, and more recent opportunities such as ChatGPT. Users type and speak their ideas, images, and questions into these apps using their mobile devices.It makes great sense, then, to harness the power of mobile devices in creating guidance counselor connections. An app that is oriented towards aiding students in initiating guidance counseling on the go.A 2019 statistic already pegged the percentage of web traffic coming through mobile users at 53%, a stat that has surely grown these past 5 years. (Bouchrika, 2024) This already exceeded laptops and desktops at that point.It is a natural progression, then, for an on-demand guidance counseling experience may be initiated and enjoyed utilizing a mobile device.

APP FEATURES

Connections & Resources

CounselBuddy aims to provide students with support in two key ways:Direct support with guidance counselors. By building a network of guidance counselors who will contribute their time, users will have online access to personalized support.Resources, such as articles, screencasts, and reminders, to support users in their planning and their journey towards post-secondary and career goals.

(Made with app.uizard.io)

TECH & HUMAN NEEDS

Making it Happen

To create this App and effectively connect users with resources and guidance counselors, there are a couple of key needs to begin.First, the App will need to be coded and constructed to enable the addition of and access to resources and counselors. Second, a network of counselors who will act as contractors (like tutors) and engage with users as guidance counselors.

REFERENCES

Bouchrika, I. (2024, June 13). Mobile vs Desktop Usage Statistics for 2024. Research.com. https://research.com/software/mobile-vs-desktop-usageDraaisma, M. (2018, January 23). Ratio of students to guidance counselors as high as 800 to 1 in some Ontario high schools: report. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/guidance-counsellors-ontario-schools-ratio-students-short-supply-1.4499640Mulhern, C. (2022). Beyond Teachers: Estimating Individual Guidance Counselors’ Effects on Educational Attainment. (EdWorkingPaper: 22-632). Retrieved from Annenberg Institute at Brown University: https://doi.org/10.26300/sjxm-zw40Prothero, A. (2023, January 5). The School Counselor-Student Ratio: There’s Good News and Bad News. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/the-school-counselor-student-ratio-theres-good-news-and-bad-news/2023/01Simonton, S. (2019, January 30). Equal Access to College Hampered by Lack of Guidance Counselors. Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity. https://spotlightonpoverty.org/spotlight-exclusives/equal-access-to-college-hampered-by-lack-of-guidance-counselors/