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Counseling Software Evaluations:
Relate with Ease
reviewed by: M. Denise Menchaca (GWCC); Fred Wieck (PVCC); Jeannie Wyatt (SCC)

evaluation summary
1. Overall, how would you rate this program?

|X| Excellent       | | Good       | | Fair       | | Poor

I have reservations when using in a CPD course or with counseling client - emphasis is placed on work or business settings. Re-entry students will relate more easilty than recent high school grads. Will need to prepare younger students for translating and applying message.
2. Please describe specific strengths, weaknesses, and/or limitations of the program.
Strengths: Validity, organization, ease of operation, attractive graphics, useful, helpful, interactive - visually, voice and participation. Weaknessess: "stuttering" in the audio signal (occasionally); no ability to print results in module 2.
3. Would you recommend this program?

|X| Yes       | | No

4. If you indicated "yes" to Question 3 above, in what settings would you use this program?

|X| Courses:"COM", "CPD", BusinessComm, Male/Female Comm, Conflict Mgmt.
| | The Learning Lab:
|X| Client Counseling situations:

Quality of Program Components
Defintely
Yes		 Somewhat Defintely
No
5 4 3 2 1 N/A
1. The program directions are clear.
Satisfactory.		 | | |X| | | | | | | | |
2. Students can easily use the software independently.
Yes, but still, it depends on students prior experience and comfort.		 |X| | | | | | | | | | |
3. The purposes of the program are clearly communicated.
Introduction about business paradigm may lead viewer to believe that this software is intended only for those in corporate environments.		 | | |X| | | | | | | | |
4. The program content is accurate.
Satisfactory.		 | | |X| | | | | | | | |
5. The content is appropriately sequenced.
I liked the sequence, purpose, self-rating, study then practice modules, and conclusion.		 |X| | | | | | | | | | |
6. The program content is up-to-date.
Satisfactory.		 |X| | | | | | | | | | |
7. The information provided in the feedback is helpful.
Satisfactory - A visual describes user's responses to self-rating. It would be advantageous if the student could print their self-evaluation results.		 | | |X| | | | | | | | |
8. The tone and style of the program are appropriate for community college students.
Returning adults with work experience will relate more easily than recent high school graduates.		 |X| | | | | | | | | | |
9. The program's visual presentation is appropriate for community college students.
Attractive.		 |X| | | | | | | | | | |
10. The program represents the diversity of our student population.
Perhaps some of the values inherent in the recommendation for effective communication may best represent "European culture".		 | | |X| | | | | | | | |
Ideas For Uses of the Software
Uses in the classroom:
How would you use this program or a particular part of this program in a classroom lesson? (List and explain the specific steps you would do so that another faculty member could clearly understand how to use this program in the classroom)

Use self-rating as a "pre and post test" in a variety of courses designed to improve interpersonal communication and/or relations; use study module as an assignment in the courses above to learn concepts associated with interpersonal communication; use practice modules to apply interpersonal communication concepts.

After teaching a unit on developing and maintaining rapport, I would have the students complete the study and drill practice. As a class, we would then do role playing.

This software can be used in many of the CPD courses because the courses deal with how to develop a stronger self-esteem, relate to people better, and communicate more effectively.

Uses in the Client Counseling:
How would you use this program in a client counseling situation? (List and explain the specific steps you would do so that another counselor could clearly understand how to use this program in a client setting)

For client presenting with issues/problems associated with interpersonal communications, this program could be used as follows:

  1. Client completes introduction to understand purpose and scope of program;
  2. Client completes self-rating module to identify their specific areas in which interpersonal communication is a problem;
  3. Client completes appropriate study modules in thos areas identified and reviews with counselor;
  4. Client completes appropriate practice modules and reviews with counselor to discuss real life application;
  5. Client completes self-rating along with other measures to evaluate change/gains in skills.

Student presents problem - communicating with others - ask students to do self-evaluation rating prior to next appointment. Discuss results with student; self-evaluation results shown on supplemental handout; student is asked to follow-up with study and practice modules; student and counselor discuss results at next appointment.

For a student who is having problems with an instructor or employer.