gatekeeper training simulation for nys high schools educators jennifer spiegler director, strategic...

Gatekeeper Training Simulationfor NYS High Schools Educators

Jennifer SpieglerDirector, Strategic Partnerships

Kognito [email protected]

Need for HS Gatekeeper Training

• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for teens ages 14-19

• In 2009, 14.5% of high school students had seriously considered suicide and 6.9% had attempted suicide one or more times (CDC)

• Gatekeeper Training among key strategies for prevention in 2001 SAMHSA National Suicide Prevention Strategy

The Facts:

The Challenges:• Time constraints

• Perceptions of role

• Confidence in abilities to recognize and address MH issues

• Knowledge and understanding of school-based MH services

• Stigma

Kognito’s At-Risk Simulation

At-Risk Simulations:• Web-based• Practice talking with student avatars• User tracking and assessment

University Faculty Version:• 50+ universities• SPRC Best Practices • National Assessment Study at 72 schools

Training Simulations

Families of Veterans 2011/Q1

University StudentsUniversity Faculty

High School Educators

Learning Objectives & Benefits

1. Recognize the common signs of psychological distress

2. Approach students with greater skill and confidence using motivational

interviewing skills such as reflective statement and open-ended questions

3. Effectively refer students to the school counselor

© 2010 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

Learning Objectives:

Benefits:

1. Promote early intervention and reduce stigma

2. Increase teacher’s motivation to assume the role of gatekeepers

3. Reduce teacher’s anxiety about handling challenging conversations with students

about their behavior

4. Support student retention and academic success

1. Assume the role of a high school teacher who is concerned about three of his

students

2. Analyze profiles of the three virtual students

3. Engage in simulated conversations with each of student avatar to find whether they

should be referred

4. Training is complete once the learner successfully talks and, if necessary, refers the

students. The 1-hour training records user progress and so can be completed in

multiple sittings.

Learning Experience


Step 1: The Classroom


Users assume the role of Shawn Lyons, a high school teacher, who is concerned about three of his students. Jackie Torres, a child psychologist, introduces the topic of gatekeeper training and provides the user with feedback throughout the training.

Symptoms exhibited by the students correlate to the most common and most severe

psychological illnesses for this age group:


Thoughts of Suicide Depression Alcohol & Substance Abuse Anxiety

Cutting Eating Disorder Aggression Social Phobia

Step 2: Examine Student Profiles


Learners can click on a student for more information, such as

(1) academics (grades, participation, attendance)…


(2) any troubling behaviors Mr. Lyons has noticed …



(3) any information about the student that Mr. Lyons gathered from others

in the community: teachers, students or family members …



(4) and the student’s physical appearance.

After exploring the profiles, the learner decides which student to talk with first.



Step 3: Talk to Students

Users engage in conversations with emotionally responsive student avatars.

Practice and learn to use open-ended questions, reflective listening and other motivational interviewing techniques to effectively:

1. Broach the topic of psychological distress

2. Motivate the student to seek help

3. Avoid common pitfalls such as attempting to diagnose the problem or giving unwarranted advice


The learner controls the conversation by choosing what topic to brings up and what

specific things to say. Learners receive instant feedback through the student’s verbal

responses and body language …



… as well as encouragement and constructive criticism on their decisions from

Jackie. Critical errors lead to immediate corrective feedback as well as the

opportunity to undo and correct their decision.



Step 4: Summary Feedback

Upon concluding each conversation, learners receive narrated and animated feedback

that highlights important lessons and key strategies for identifying, approaching and

referring at-risk students.



1. Longitudinal Survey Study: - Changes in perception of, and motivation toward, becoming a gatekeeper

- Changes in skills, knowledge and confidence to identify, approach and refer students in distress

- Changes in behavior (number of students teachers identify, approach, and refer)

- Overall satisfaction with the course

2. Usage and Completion Rates:- Number of users who launched and completed the training

- User demographics (age, job role, experience, school/district location by zip code)

Assessment Plan

Pre-Survey

Post-Survey

2-month Follow up Survey

Assessment:

National Survey Study

72 universities, 1,200 participants, May – December 2009:

91% said they had at least one student in their class who concerned them


Changes in Knowledge and Skill

89% reported they are better prepared to identify, approach and refer students in mental distress

83% reported they are more confident in their ability to help a suicidal student.



Effectiveness of Instructional Approach

97% reported the simulated conversations were realistic representations of conversations they had with at-risk students.

96% would recommend At-Risk to their colleagues

Download Complete Report at: www.kognito.com/atrisk/research.html



http://www.kognito.com/atrisk/research

http://www.kognito.com/atrisk/research

Questions & Answers

Jennifer SpieglerDirector, Strategic Partnerships

Kognito InteractiveEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 212-675-9234Demo: www.kognito.com/atrisk


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.kognito.com/atrisk

gatekeeper training simulation for nys high schools educators jennifer spiegler director, strategic...

Documents

high school students

approach students

virtual students

student profiles

gatekeeper training

hs gatekeeper training

high school teacher

topic of gatekeeper