Beyond the Buzzword: Understanding and Using Student Development Theory

1. Beyond the Buzzword:Understanding and Using Student Development Theory Nathan Williams University of Georgia Kara Fresk, M.Ed. University of Georgia

2. Agenda • Student Development Theory • Cognitive-Structural Theories • Category overview • Perry’s Intellectual Development Scheme • Recognizing Intellectual Development • Psychosocial Theories • Category overview • Chickering & Reisser’s Seven Vectors • Recognizing the Vectors • Integrated Theories • Category overview • Baxter-Magolda’s Journey Toward Self Authorship • Recognizing the Journey • Activity • Discussion

3. Student Development Different than growth and change About becoming a more complex individual About increasing differentiation and integration of self

4. Cognitive Structural Theories Shifts in how an individual makes meaning Not about the content or what the person thinks – about how the person thinks

5. Intellectual Development Scheme • Positions (abridged) • Dualism • Multiplicity • Relativism • Commitment • Key Concepts • Dissonance and assimilation v. accommodation • Escape, temporizing, and retreat Perry, W.G. (1999). Forms of ethical and intellectual development in the college years: A scheme. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

6. Recognizing Intellectual Development Student Staff Participants insert pic of desk attendant insert pic of IM participants

7. Psychosocial Theories Formation of aspects of self, such as identity or purpose Learning skills or ways of being to successfully navigate life

8. Seven Vectors Developing Competence Managing Emotions Moving Through Autonomy Toward Interdependence Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships Establishing Identity Developing Purpose Developing Integrity Chickering, A.W., & Reisser, L. (1993). Education and identity (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

9. Recognizing the Seven Vectors Student Staff Participants insert outdoor trip pic w/ focus on trip leader insert pic of swimmer

10. Integrative Theories Consider both the ways an individual thinks and the content of what the individual is thinking

11. Journey Toward Self Authorship • The Journey • Following external formulas • Crossroads • Becoming author of one’s own life • Internal foundation • Being Good Company for the Journey • Validating learner’s capacity to know • Situating learning in the learner’s experience • Mutually constructing meaning Baxter Magolda, M. (2001). Making their own way: Narratives for transforming higher education to promote self-development. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

12. Recognizing the Journey Student Staff Participants insert group fitness pic w/ focus on instructor insert pic of club sport participants

13. Present to the VP!

14. Your Challenge • Form groups • Each group member will suggest a program or initiative to address a particular theory • Each group will pick its favorite program to present to the VP (and the rest of the room) • The non-biased judges at the front will pick the most effective program (applause, heckling, and bribery will be considered) • Prizes are on the line!!!

15. Thank You! Nathan Williams nathanw@uga.edu Kara Fresk kfresk@uga.edu