Reviews the important literature published since Astin's 1985 work on involvement theory, including his subsequent publications on student involvement in learning, to determine whether student involvement does make a difference to student development and learning. Examines some of the limitations inherent in assessing student development and…

Explores traditional women's representation in psychosocial theories, including theories that address specific populations and college psychosocial student development theory. States that an understanding of women's place in existing theories will allow college educators and administrators to appropriately apply these theories. (MKA)

Describes an effective scene study class including the sequential tasks of: analyzing the script independently; collaborating with a scene partner and finding common ground; developing the throughline of action; and working the moments, the beats, and the overall scene until each moment flows into the next. Considers ways to set up classroom…

Presents excerpts from a workshop that actively explores four instructional activities to illuminate the let's-put-on-a-show myth. Notes that the workshop illustrates the National Theatre Standards in action by integrating several aspects of the art form: script writing, acting, designing, directing, researching, comparing art forms, analyzing and…

Analyzes responses to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire from 51,155 undergraduates at 128 institutions to develop a student typology based upon their patterns of engagement in educationally purposeful activities and the progress they reported making toward important outcomes of college. The typology reported yields new insights into…

Compares a traditional basal approach with a guided reading approach. Demonstrates that the fundamental difference between the two approaches lies in pitching instruction to the child's literacy level and the need for dynamic grouping of children for instruction. Gives a Vygotskian perspective of the transactions that occur between the teacher and…

Describes Missouri Southern State College's assessment of its study abroad program as an example of how one institution has attempted to trace the effects that the program has had on student. (EV)

Pennsylvania Extension youth and family educators (n=62) participated in an inservice program on enhancing community youth development programming. Participant evaluations showed significant gain in knowledge and understanding of community youth development concepts and support for the importance of developing a common framework and language for…

Presents a keynote address from a mathematics education conference that features reflections on the pace of student mathematical development and the tension between that pace and the time constraints on mathematics teaching imposed by curriculum and school structure. (MM)

Considers where theories of spiritual development fit into the constellation of student development theories. Highlights the work of Sharon Daloz Parks to reinforce the relationship of spiritually related developmental theories and traditional ones, especially the cognitive-structural. (Contains 12 references.) (GCP)

Discusses what constitutes the developmental part of a comprehensive, developmental, and collaborative school counseling program. Provides a review of the developmental perspective as well as an overview of recent discussions related to the need for changes in school counseling program focus. Considers the potential for maintaining a developmental…

This chapter explores the dynamics of generational cohort differences and their potential influence on the understandings, emphases, and applications of student development theory.

Throughout most facets of American life, there has been a renewed interest in and expression of spirituality. Religiosity and spirituality have been at the center of recent international events (e.g., September 11th) and political discussions (e.g., continuing debates about school prayer and the role of religion in the political process). As a…

Service learning, or education through community service, benefits students, faculty, community colleges, and their surrounding communities. The following citations are a selection of recent ERIC resources on service learning in the community college. These resources include guides to developing and sustaining community partnerships and…

This qualitative study examined emerging inquiries and dialogue of five- to six-year-old kindergartners (9 boys and 9 girls) taking place around computers as they engaged in a mapping project in a technology-rich classroom in the U.S. Discourse analysis of young children's conversations in a technology-rich classroom shed light on their…