Then and Now: Technology Use Over Time

Abstract

In this transcendental phenomenological study, the research question explored was: What is the essence of how counselling students related to technology over time? For participants, becoming increasingly familiar with technology involved receiving support, feeling uncomfortable, exploring possibilities, viewing technology as a tool, and examining the social dynamics involved with technology use. A new, developmental theory of using technology, the stages of technology use by Rempel and Jerry (2013), was described. Using the data from this study, Rempel and Jerry’s theory was refined and a conceptual model for understanding beneficial and problematic technology use was developed, based on attachment theory and Erikson’s (1950/1993) psychosocial developmental model.