Informal Theory: The Ignored Link in Theory-to-Practice/Response to Patrick Love's "Informal Theory": A Rejoinder

Applying theory to practice in student affairs is dominated by the assumption that formal theory is directly applied to practice. Among the problems with this assumption is that many practitioners believe they must choose between their lived experiences and formal theory, and that graduate students...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of college student development 2012-03, Vol.53 (2), p.177
Main Authors: Love, Patrick, Evans, Nancy J, Guido, Florence M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
College students
Colleges & universities
Educational leadership
Emotional Development
Intellectual Development
Interpersonal Relationship
Learning
Social Development
Staff Meetings
Student Attitudes
Student Development
Student Experience
Theory
Theory Practice Relationship
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Summary:Applying theory to practice in student affairs is dominated by the assumption that formal theory is directly applied to practice. Among the problems with this assumption is that many practitioners believe they must choose between their lived experiences and formal theory, and that graduate students are taught that their experience "does not count." What is missing in the discourse on theory-to-practice is the recognition of the role of informal theory that serves as the bridge between formal theory and practice. This article describes the conceptual connections among formal theory, informal theory, and practice, and presents strategies for improving the use of informal theory. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0897-5264
1543-3382