Page 32 - Euroguidance Insight Magazine

The expansion of the use of online tools The development of new competencies and
and resources approaches
The use of distance guidance tools increased and New skills were developed, and others strengthened
became widespread throughout the pandemic. A during the pandemic. Everyone increased their
free ‘Contact’ section on the website enabled the knowledge and use of digital skills and became more
public to easily access online guidance. A monthly adaptable as they learned to deal with a situation
newsletter was also published online and shared never experienced before, working harder to solve
on social media and digital tools allowed students problems with new, relevant answers. Communica-
to be supported with their applications to Higher tion improved across the board and practitioners
Education. learned more about stress management.
More than ever, the pandemic has highlighted the By becoming familiar with the digital technologies,
need to make accurate information available at any people living in faraway geographical areas now have
time and in various forms: written material, videos easier access to services that were previously reserved
and guides, and pedagogical sequences to down- for people usually living in urban areas. However,
load. Euroguidance's thematic videoconferences are remote communication tools reduce the non-verbal
an additional resource which can be followed live, part and the phatic function, making communica-
allowing interaction with the speakers, and replayed tion more direct and seem colder. The challenge is
at any time. then how to make it warmer and how to include
The transformation of work: slight but firmly all audiences in this mode of support in guidance.
anchored Today, we have new tools at our disposal and are
Since the lockdown in March 2020, we have adapted more comfortable to use them. Nevertheless, we
our way of working. we now offer online training, still must learn how to combine them with the aim
webinars, and thematic videoconferences as well of guidance and improve them. The lockdown in-
as remote guidance interviews that complement creased awareness of the importance of caring and
the support provided by guidance professionals. social relationships. It is now essential to understand
This has been made possible because the use of how to maintain or integrate them in any situation
videoconferencing has become very familiar to even those which are unprecedented.
everyone, allowing communication with a wider Career guidance during and after a
audience. The DINAMO online course that was set global pandemic – the example of
up before the pandemic is used by professionals Croatia
who want to learn more about guidance counselling
with a European dimension. During the pandemic, Education systems have been the ones most severely
an additional support was offered with live and disrupted by the global pandemic. In the years 2020-
remote group meetings. 21 primary and secondary schools in Croatia, as in

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32 2. EUROGUIDANCE NATIONAL ACTIVITIES