In learning, there are many concepts that are understood on a cognitive level but not necessarily on a practical level.  One of the strategies I strive to help students with is to provide examples via articles that allows the concepts to be seen via application. 

In the counseling field, there are many theories and techniques that are taught but the key is to understand how those theories and techniques are executed to meet the needs of others.  For example, in teaching a class on Ethics, I will post articles that relate to ethical issues in the discussion forums for that week, such as boundaries and dual relationships, counseling via the use of technology, confidentiality and legal matters.   I ask students to read the articles, give feedback as well as ask further questions to help put the concepts into reality.  It gets students thinking about real life situations and how they would handle something similar as well as challenges preconceived notions of what is ethical practice. 

Another example, in teaching Social and Cultural Diversity, I use relevant movies (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - about the struggle that certain Indian tribes went through with being pushed off their land; The Help - about segregation, racism and prejudice), and recently took an article out of the Phoenix Magazine about Mesa, AZ first Black Physician, who despite the limited rights given to blacks during the late 1800s and early 1900s, was committed to treating people no matter their race and is being recognized for his service as well as his 1920s house being restored and deemed a landmark.  I have seen students become more aware of their own prejudices and judgments as well as their own pain and make commitments to become more sensitive towards others, challenging those judgments and beginning to see a person for who they are, not just the color of their skin or culture they are from.  This is important because it enables them to understand what it means to be empathetic, what it takes to address an issue and thus what a client might be experiencing and need in a session. 

Attached are some examples of the articles I use (see below). 

Faculty Spotlight:

Jenny always knew she was going to make a difference in others lives but not sure in what form.  She obtained her Bachelors in Science in Physical Education with an Endorsement in Health and teaching certificate from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.  After college she moved to Texas and worked with trouble youth and she began to get clarity on what she wanted to do with her life.  She graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX with her Master's in Biblical Counseling.  From there she moved to Arizona to work at Remuda Ranch, an inpatient treatment center for eating disorders as a therapist and body image specialist, until 2011 when she got married.  She has also spoken and written articles centered around eating disorders and athletes, and body image.  She maintains a small private practice since 2008 and started teaching for GCU the summer of 2010.  She has a passion for Africa and hopes to do more service work there in the future.