Educational interview: what is it and what are its objectives?

In the educational field, this concept often resonates: the educational interview. But what is it exactly? What is it used for and what are its objectives? Who carries it out?

In this article we will answer these and other questions and, in addition, we will describe in detail which These are the five stages of this type of interview, which will help us to know how we can apply it with success.

• Related article: "The different types of interview and their characteristics"

Educational interview: what is it and what is it used for?

The educational interview, according to the definition of Rodríguez Rivera (1986), is a conversation between the student's teacher or counselor, the student himself and generally also her parents, who has the objective of helping us to get to know the student better and to guide parents in their education or in any doubt or conflict they may have.

It is a technique applied by the student's teacher or educator (that is, it is he himself who directs the conversation). On the other hand, other authors have defined the educational interview as an intentional conversation that allows us to obtain student data (data that would otherwise be difficult for us to obtain, due to its confidential).

A type of psychopedagogical tool

The educational interview is a psychopedagogical tool used to evaluate the aspects to work with the student and to transmit said information to the parents, which also includes advice to families on the educational side of the student.

That is why, before carrying it out, the educator should already have thought of possible solutions (or guidelines) aimed at resolving situations that the family probably raises.

However, we must highlight that the interview itself is often used to gather information, to evaluate certain aspects of the student (and the family) and to share impressions (and not so much to advise, although indirectly it can be used for it; Thus, it is rather a diagnostic tool that allows detecting the student's difficulties, as well as their progress, strong points and weak points).

Difference with the therapeutic interview

The educational interview, unlike the clinical or therapeutic interview, is conducted by the student's educator, tutor, counselor or teacher. Instead, in the therapeutic interview it is the psychologist who directs the conversation.

In the educational interview, the aforementioned figure is the one who will select the objectives and content of the same, and the in charge of requesting the information that you want to know about your student (from the student himself or from his family, who are usually the parents).

• You may be interested in: "Educational psychology: definition, concepts and theories"

What is it for?

The educational interview allows us to obtain information from the studentThis is often necessary to make a diagnosis of their academic performance, their academic objectives and/or their educational needs.

On the other hand, it also serves to provide help to families who need it in terms of their child's education, as well as to promote the teacher-families (or teacher-student) bond.

Through the educational interview you can share ideas that allow you to continue building the student's learning process. In addition, this tool allows the creation of a space, either with the student or with her family, to express and express wishes, concerns, feelings, conflicts, etc.

Finally, the teacher, counselor or tutor of the student, through the interview, can also transmit the observations that have been made of the student in terms of their performance, state of mind, pace of learning, relationship with other colleagues, etc.

Goals

In line with all of the above, the purposes of the educational interview are educational purposes; this means that its main objective will be to address academic issues. Through this approach seeks to convey information about different aspects of the student, such as:

• Academic performance
• Difficulties in certain subjects
• strengths, capabilities
• Conflicts in class (with the teacher, with other classmates...)
• Future prospects (academic and work)

On the other hand, we can say that at a more generic (and deep) level, the primary objective of the educational interview will be to contribute and improve the general well-being of the student, as well as their proper functioning at school (in all areas: academic, social, staff…).

Characteristics

The three most remarkable characteristics of the educational interview are the following.

1. clear objective

The educational interview, like any type of interview, has a clear objective. That is to say, It is never done "just because". Specifying and concretizing this objective well will be a key factor to achieve success through this psycho-pedagogical tool.

2. Type of participants

As we have been seeing, generally the educational interview is carried out between: teacher, student and family (parents or legal guardians of the student). However, There may be cases of interviews where only the teacher and the student, or the teacher and the student's parents participate..

3. The teacher/educator conducts the interview

As we have also seen at the beginning of the article, it will be the educator (teacher, counselor...) who will lead the interview.

In other words, this will be the person responsible for leading (and redirecting, if necessary) the conversation, for asking questions, for clarify doubts, to record all the information... Logically, the student and his parents may also ask what wish.

phases

The educational interview is divided into the following five phases (and is applied as follows).

1. Phase I: welcome message

In the first phase of the educational interview, participants will greet and introduce themselves. The teacher will start the conversation (ideally, in standard language). The reason and purpose of the interview will be explained.

2. Phase II: initiation of the conversation and active listening

At this stage, the professional will begin by explaining the current situation of the student, and he will be willing to ask the pertinent questions to the family members or the student.

These questions usually cover aspects that directly or indirectly influence the education and performance of the student. The teacher will take the notes that he deems necessary. In addition, the student's academic objectives will be discussed.

3. Phase III: concretion of strategies

In this second phase, the important information has already been collected. Here the teacher will propose the strategies to put into practice to achieve the objectives agreed in the previous phase.

It is not about the teacher saying the strategies and the others “obeying”, but about sharing points of view among all diverse, opinions, ideas, proposals, etc., to reach a joint conclusion regarding the methodology to be applied from this point of view. moment.

4. Phase IV: agreements

After the previous negotiations, in the fourth phase of the educational interview, the objective will be to specify the actions that will be followed from that precise moment. It is the stage of agreements, and the moment in which all parties (participants) will commit to carry out the actions assigned to them.

5. Phase V: farewell

In the last stage of the educational interview, the last aspects of it will be discussed, clarified possible doubts, a brief summary of the conversation will be made (objectives set, strategies to apply...), etc The teacher, as the conductor of the interview, will be in charge of ending the conversation.

Bibliographic references:

• Albaladejo, M. (2010). How to say it: Effective interviews in education. Barcelona: Editorial Grao.
• Fernandez, J. Q. (1993). "The interview in Orientation", AMPO Congress, Mexico.
• Woolkolk, A. (2006). Educational psychology. Pearson Publishing - Addison Wesley. Mexico.