many times as needed, or downloaded and used offline, or multiplied and distributed on
electronic support (floppy disk, CD-ROM, external memory). Selecting the adequate
technology is done function of the objectives and the target group.
Using computers in career information is justified by two essential benefits: maximization
of learning opportunities, and facilitating access to counselling resources (Sampson,
2000).
Maximization of learning opportunities. It is a result of the increased interactivity and
flexibility in the virtual environment, by the possibility of selecting the media resources
appropriate to user’s personal learning style, by removing blockages caused by low
transfer speed, which would considerably diminish motivation.
Facilitating access to counselling resources. Information plays and essential part in
career guidance, and one of the most common uses of the Internet is, according to
Sampson (2000) “exploring employment opportunities, career alternatives, and test
assessment”. From an ethical point of view, there is the problem of giving access to these
resources considering the reality of digital division and the danger of deepening
discrepancies. Some people have difficulties in working with computers or navigating on
the Internet and this is why they prefer to seek counselling.
In a traditional career guidance centre, the introduction of a web page information service
raises the problem of the pertinence with regard to the target population. Once the service
launched, a counsellor no longer bears the burden of repeatedly informing various clients
of the same thing, since electronic information is easy to access and unlimited, at any
time and from anywhere, by a large range of beneficiaries, etc.
According to the definition of the target group to which web sites are addressed, specific
or general information and counselling services can be offered (Sampson, 2000). General
services are addressed to a wide target group whose members are perfectly aware of their
needs and do not require thematic counselling, only answers to general questions.
Specific services on the other hand are addressed to individual clients or more clearly
defined groups and require individualized intervention and offering answers to individual
requests. The role of the web site is complementary to other guidance resources and must
answer, according to Sampson (2001), the strategic objectives of the counselling centre.
A necessary condition to favourable career-related decision-making is represented by
relevant information on the self, and educational and professional opportunities. This
requires processing a large amount of information. Computers are at present the most
adequate instrument to store and manipulate this kind of information.
Certain information needed by clients in career-related decision-making pertain to local
or regional circumstances, and cannot consequently fall in the responsibility of national
authorities. It is therefore necessary to develop searching systems for educational and
professional information relevant at regional or local level that can be used by schools in
the area. Such an application would offer useful information to clients in making
professional decision, as well as to authorities and teachers in the development of a
relevant curriculum for the local labour market.