Question

What are some personal challenges to using student development theory?

Answer 1

Student Development Theory is a part of educational psychology, which relates to how students gain knowledge in post-secondary educational environments. It consists of Arthur W. Chickering's theory of identity development, William Perry's Cognitive Theory of Student Development, Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development, Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning, Sanford's Theory of Challenge and Support, etc.

There are some personal challenges in using student development theory. One has to convert the theory to practice. He has to challenge his own impulses. Sometimes teachers offer benefits to students so that they comprehend how benefits can help them in succeeding academically. But students take advantage of the benefit in the wrong way and prove the teacher's decision to be faulty and hampering students development. Another personal challenge is that of acting as a partner. As a partner, it is a challenge for the educators to help students listen to, cultivate and draw out their internal voices, and reduce external noise (from peers, family members or social pressure). As a patner, educators have to collect information beyond the superficial layer of what previously existed for a student, which was not serving their needs in any way.