Enhancing Effectiveness of Guidance and Counseling Services Through Web-Based Interactive Media

Abstract

The efficacy of guidance and counseling services within educational settings has frequently been constrained by traditional delivery methods, such as paper-based materials, boards, and PowerPoint presentations, which have been shown to limit student engagement. This study was undertaken to address these limitations by developing and validating a web-based platform, named "WAHANA BIKONS," designed to enhance the interactivity, creativity, and innovation of counseling services. The platform incorporates interactive elements such as games, discussions, and quizzes to foster a more engaging environment for students. The research and development process were structured into three key phases: preliminary research for initial data collection, a prototyping phase involving the creation and refinement of the website, and an assessment phase, where evaluations were conducted with both information technology (IT) experts and end-users. Data were amassed through questionnaires administered to six IT experts and thirty-nine users, with content validation assessed via the Content Validity Index (CVI). The validation results revealed a score of 0.92 from IT experts and 0.99 from users, indicating a high level of content validity for the developed platform. These findings suggest that "WAHANA BIKONS" is a viable tool for school counselors, enabling more dynamic and engaging counseling sessions. The study underscores the potential of incorporating interactive web-based media in guidance and counseling services and suggests further exploration into diversifying game elements and content to address the evolving developmental needs of students comprehensively. Future iterations of such media are recommended to ensure responsive and adaptable services to the varied needs of the student population.