Once upon a time (don’t you love stories that begin this way) a new doctoral student (Debra) met a faculty member (Marty) and the two began a relationship that has grown and developed into something neither could have imagined. No, this is not a story of ethically inappropriate behavior, but it is a love story about technology.
When Debra first met Marty she was struck by how passionate he was about emerging technologies and how these technologies could support and enhance student development and professional communication. He routinely gave out CD’s with all class resource materials neatly organized so students could have them handy as needed. He also started a thriving email list, CESNET, which is the primary discussion and information forum for Counselor Educators. Debra learned that Marty’s “tech” credentials were extensive and he readily embraced new ways of communicating.
Debra is a geek at heart. She says that proudly knowing how impactful technology has been in her life. She would rather build a computer than buy one and came to her doctoral program with years of experience helping companies develop and implement suitable technologies to manage their processes. Her passion for finding new ways to implement technological solutions matched Marty’s interest in the first class she took from him as doc student.
… read the complete story ~ http://issuu.com/onlinetherapyinstitute/docs/tiltiss8?mode=window&pageNumber=9
This article first appeared in the November 2011 issue of TILT Magazine ~ Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology.
Click here to read the entire article.
When not in Second Life, Debra London is a Doctoral student at Kent State University. She teaches in the counseling program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and provides mental health services through a private practice and at a free medical clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Marty Jencius is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Kent State University. His writing and research focuses on the use of new media in training counselors.
