FACILITIES

 

Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development
Suite A4100 University Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2490

(850) 644-6431 (voice) (850) 644-3273 (FAX)
http://www.career.fsu.edu/techcenter/

 

April 13, 2001

 

The Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development (Tech Center) is physically located within the Florida State University Career Center on the fourth floor of the University Center. The Tech Center's research, training, and service goals have been designed to complement the goals of the FSU Career Center. Tech Center staff provide consulting and research / evaluation support regarding the use of computer technology within the Career Center. The Barnett Computer-Assisted Career Guidance Laboratory provides a controlled setting for Tech Center research, evaluation, and demonstration projects. This unique partnership between the Career Center and the Tech Center reflects the commitment of Florida State University to provide leadership in exploring innovative applications of science and technology to meet the needs of society. Facilities include the Tech Center Library and the Barnett Computer-Assisted Career Guidance Laboratory.

 

Computer Software

One aim of the Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development is to help professionals and institutions select, implement, and evaluate computer applications. As part of this effort, the Center has a variety of PC- and Internet-based software available for review. It is also possible to observe how some of the available systems are used as a component of services provided at the Career Center at Florida State University. The software available for review at any given time varies depending upon the provision of systems by developers. Appointments for software review and observation should be scheduled in advance.

 

The software available for review at the Center has been purchased, leased, provided at a reduced cost, or donated by system developers in exchange for evaluation data or improved product visibility. The inclusion of a particular system in this document does not represent any kind of endorsement of the software by Florida State University or the staff of the Center. Individuals are encouraged to use all available evaluative information in the final selection of computer software. The Center does provide evaluative data on some of the available systems. Due to occasional software or hardware malfunction, a particular system may not be available for review. All systems operate on IBM compatible computer hardware.

 

Print-Based Materials

Print-based holdings include:

  1. Clearinghouse bibliographies, abstracts, and evaluation instruments;
  2. Reports describing the theoretical basis of specific computer applications;
  3. Reports describing computer software design characteristics;
  4. Specific system support documents for users;
  5. Reports describing the implementation of various systems;
  6. Clearinghouse technical reports, other reports and articles describing research and evaluation studies on specific computer applications;
  7. Training documents for counselors and administrators;
  8. Articles and book chapters on ethical issues related to the use of computer applications;
  9. Articles and book chapters on the general use of computer applications in counseling, guidance, and mental health settings; and
  10. Marketing information on specific computer software.

 

Audio-Visual Materials

Audio-visual holdings include:

  1. Videotape training programs for specific computer-assisted career guidance systems; and
  2. Videotape user support materials for specific computer-assisted career guidance systems.

 

Barnett Computer-Assisted Career Guidance Laboratory

The Barnett Computer-Assisted Career Guidance Laboratory is one component of the Career Center. Students, FSU alumni, and local members of the community use the laboratory with the assistance of Career Advisors as part of an individualized plan for career assistance. The laboratory is designed to provide state-of-the-art computer software and hardware in an environment that is conducive to learning. At present seven PC work stations are available for use by visitors.

 

Library

The Tech Center Library is designed to provide FSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as visiting researchers, educators, government officials, and software developers with a comprehensive collection of resources on the effective use of computer technology in counseling and career development. The holdings of the library include computer software, print-based materials, and audio- visual materials.

 

Research and Evaluation

The Tech Center is involved in an ongoing program of laboratory-based research and evaluation on the use of computer applications within a functioning university career center. The program of research and evaluation includes: sponsored and non-sponsored research, doctoral dissertations, student research projects, and Career Center evaluation projects.

 

Staff Offices

Tech Center staff members utilize assigned office space to complete research/evaluation and dissemination tasks. Visiting educators and government officials may request office space to further specific objectives.