Theoretical Foundationsto Demonstrate Learning

Nate Cradit – Michigan BPA

What do students learn and gain through BPA participation?

Overview• Considering additional dimensions of learning

– Astin’s Involvement Theory– Noncognitive Variables

• How do you tell that story?

Astin’s Theory of Student Involvement

The more energy a student puts into the academic environment, the more successful they will be.

The Importance of Involving the Students we have: Astin (1984).

• “…the amount of physical and psychological energy that the student devotes to the academic experience.” • Clubs & Organizations• Employment• Residence Halls

• Development proportional to the quality & quantity of involvement

BPA

How do you measure involvement?

Noncognitive Variables

•What else do students know?•What other skills might be valuable for life?•8 variables, arguing for use in admissions decisions

•Many universities adopting, and even corporate hiring staff

•Soft skills, expanded and quantified(Sedlacek, 2004)

BPA Enhances Noncognitive Variables:Demonstrates confidence, strength of character, determination and

independencePositive self-concept

Accepts any strength and deficiencies and works hard at self-developmentRealistic self-appraisal

Able to navigate systems and complex, systemic operationsSuccessfully handling the system

Able to defer gratification; plans ahead and sets goalsPreference for long-term goals

Seeks and takes advantage of a support network or has someone to turn to in crisisAvailability of a strong support person

Demonstrates leadership in one’s background Leadership experience

Participates as an active citizen and understands implications of their actions for othersCommunity involvement

Acquires knowledge in a specific field in which they feel a sense of fitKnowledge acquired in the field

Based on the theories we talked about today, are there any new strategies that you might use to

measure learning and share success in new ways?

BPA provides students the opportunity to become meaningfully involved in their academic

environment, and to grow in the noncognitive areas linked to resilience and success.

Through this opportunity, BPA students are more likely to persist and graduate. They are well-

positioned for career success and societal economic development.