Self authorship college student learning and development

Student Journeys Toward Self-Authorship: How Can

I Be “Good Company?”

Monica Kempland, PhDSeptember 4, 2014

EPFR 514: College Student Learning and Development

Magolda’s study

Keegan’s Self-Authorship23 year longitudinal study1,000 students aged 18-40Journey toward “self-authorship”

◦Internal capacity to choose one’s beliefs, values, identity and relationships

http://www.aacu.org/liberaleducation/le-fa09/documents/LEFall09_EngagedLearning.pdf

http://collegestudentdeveltheory.blogspot.com/2010/10/baxter-magoldas-theory-of-self.html

Epistemological“How do I know”

Intrapersonal“Who am I”

Interpersonal“How do I want to construct relationships with others”

Inner Voice

Tandem JourneyWe can be “good

company”Provide “pedal

power”Student “steers”

and directs the journey

Marcia Baxter Magolda’s Theory of Self-Authorship

What are ways that student affairs personnel can use learning partnership models to help students in their transition through college?

How can we be good company?

Questions for Tier One

Are you meeting people?How do you want to leave college?

◦Unfinished by not meeting others who share the same interests or meeting people to find out who you really are?

Ask “Why?”◦Major, career choice, relationship, class

selection

Other strategies for Tier One

JournalingImaginary dialogue during Springboard

about their goals for their college experience between themselves and a dominant figure in their lives◦How can they fulfill what they seek in college

while still maintaining a relationship with that person?

How can we be good company?

Questions for Tier TwoWhat can you do to ensure success in

your courses/future?Based on your own

thoughts/research/discussions, what do you feel is the right decision?

Other strategies for Tier Two

Move away from the role of an “expert”Provide feedback and high expectationsAllow them to accept responsibility for

their own decisionsHelp students view experiences as

opportunities for learning and growthDiscourage simplistic solutions

How can we be good company?

Advising Questions for Tier Three

Have you considered starting a student organization based on those interests (or heading a leadership position in an already-existing student organization)?

That’s an interesting perspective. How might you go about explaining that to someone who is unfamiliar with that view?

Other strategies for Tier Three

Encourage active leadership rolesPeer advising?Heading up student organizationsReaching out during internships

Challenges and Encouragement for Student Personnel Staff

Time constraints of meeting with studentsReliance on external authority of

staff/faculty can create risks -- students must have opportunities to develop self-authorship

Easiest journey is not usually the most meaningful journey

DiscussionWhich transition do you feel would be the

most challenging for students (from Dependent on others, to crossroads, or crossroads to self-authorship)?

How might the role of self-authorship be different for a non-traditional student?

Can “meaningful learning” co-exist with the emphasis on “customer service?”

Other ideas?

“Exploring college student development theory.” Blog accessed January 5, 2012 from http://collegestudentdeveltheory.blogspot.com/2010/10/baxter-magoldas- theory-of-self.html

http://www.triua.com/50/10-tips-of-personal-finance-for-college-students.html

http://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/parentnews/3272/18286

http://college.usatoday.com/2012/02/27/a-college-students-guide-to-finding-a-mentor/

Hodge, D., Baxter, M., Haynes, C.A. “Engaged learning: Enabling self authorship and effective practice.” Liberal Education, 95(4), 16-23. Accessed January 5, 2012 from http://www.aacu.org/liberaleducation/le-fa09/documents/ LEFall09_EngagedLearning.pdf

Magolda, M. B. “Tandem journey through the labyrinth.” Journal of Learning in Higher Education. February 2010, Issue 2.

Magolda, M. B., & King, P. M., eds. (2004). Learning partnerships: Theory and models of practice to educate for self-authorship. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Magolda, M. B. (2001). Making their own way: Narratives for transforming higher education to promote self development. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Sources