Videoconferencing at psychology internships: interns' perceptions of interactive television experiences and prospects.

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the use and perceptions of videoconferencing in psychology internship training from the perspective of interns. Videoconferencing offers a means of expanding training beyond conventional on-site models. Psychology interns completed an online survey about their experiences with videoconferencing and perspectives of its impact on training. Most participants encountered it in their didactics. Some used it for supervision or other purposes. Interns' perspectives were complex, with videoconferencing seen as supporting learning similar to conventional training in some ways, yet as less desirable overall. Direct comparisons between videoconferencing and on-site training revealed interns perceived videoconferencing as somewhat less effective, and as deleteriously affecting learning dynamics. Challenges and potential benefits of incorporating videoconferencing into psychology internship training were identified. Potential benefits include augmenting available internship training and increasing rural sites' access to training.