Assessment, Instruction, Services, and Student Development Across Domains, Part 22

Question 1: Discuss why it is most appropriate for counselors to deliver curriculum that addresses career planning and conflict resolution.

Answer 1: One of the qualities that differentiates school counselors from teachers is their training and knowledge base, both in areas pertinent to school-age children and in appropriate expectations for each age and grade level. Although conflict resolution is a valuable skill to learn at any age, the delivery method and context will differ greatly between age levels. Counselors are particularly knowledgeable about this. One example of this is teaching young children how to get along with their friends through a puppet lesson; for high school students, an example is role-playing to address relationships with parents. It is important that high school students be given a wealth of information about career and college planning, which is an area of expertise for school counselors. They can talk to high school students about setting goals, researching options, and long-range planning.

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Question 2: Discuss the role of seating arrangements in classroom guidance lessons.

Answer 2: Seating arrangements can be very important in establishing tone and expectation, as well as in contributing to the efficacy of a guidance lesson in the classroom. Counselors can choose other seating arrangements that are most conducive to the planned activity or lesson. Just the process of rearranging the established seating in a classroom can signal a change in the group dynamic. If students are asked to break into small groups, the expectation is that group discussion will occur. Counselors can implement this seating arrangement to address interpersonal skills. An added benefit to this kind of seating arrangement is that student groups can address different topics. Conversely, if the activity is one that requires the group of students to listen to the counselor, the chairs and desks would all face the front of the classroom.

Question 3: Discuss the implications of various types of seating arrangements.

Answer 3: Two key areas influenced by seating arrangements are formality and communication, specifically whether communication is one-sided or open and interactive. At one end of this spectrum is an arrangement in which seats are all facing one direction, toward a speaker or screen. This arrangement inherently discourages interaction, and implies one-way communication by the person or event at the front of the room. At the other end of the spectrum is an arrangement of small groups, in which the participants face each other. This arrangement allows for a great deal of interpersonal dialogue, and relegates the counselor to the role of facilitator. The gradations in between include U-shaped seating, which encourages discussion with a speaker; seats in a circle, which encourages discussion without a speaker; and seating around a table. Counselors should consider how much participation, if any, is appropriate for a given session when looking at seating arrangements.

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