Summary: From Studies In Continuing Education

During this study, participants were guaranteed that the researcher was seeking to improve their educational working relationships. And, in order to assist readers with a better understanding of the assumptions drawn from this research, it was essential to cultivate an understanding of each of the participants included within the study. A short biographical entry of each participant is included below.

The four course themes of education, technology, family, and health and wellness are topics that touch each of our lives in some way. In this discussion, practice exploring the themes as a researcher would: by creating problem statements.

The purpose of this paper is to describe three psychosocial theories and how they impacted my own personal development. I will use the theories to trace my development throughout my undergraduate career and show how I processed information and how is some situations I am still developing. In this paper, I will use Marcia’s theory identity development to describe how I moved from moratorium to identity achievement. I will also use Chickering’s vector developing a mature interpersonal relationship to discuss how I am continually developing. I will conclude with discussion two components of Bronfenbrenner’s developmental ecology theory.

Broadly, identity is said to be a “self-concept,” or the progressive, cognitive portrayal that one usually holds of his or her self (Markus & Wurf, 1987). The research of identity and how identity is formed has been contemplated in lieu of multiple angles of a human experiences (Baxter, 2011). Professional Identity is a personal professional self- concept based on factors such as beliefs, attributes, values, motives, and experience (Ibarra, 1999; Schein, 1978). In any career it is important for an individual to have his or her own professional identity to be able to bring something to their profession. As a social worker professional identity is very important to be aware of, because when the worker is aware of his or her identity it can effect them as workers and how they improve, support, and work with their patients.

A student who succeeds is one who encompasses the bravery and courage to start anew. Even knowing that, I was a student who feared every little action I took in high school because of the consequences I was afraid to face afterwards. The uneasiness of carrying out plans alone shaped my character into an indecisive clutter about everything inside my mind. But even with that hindrance, I tackled one of the hardest choices I had to make: choosing Case Western Reserve University over University of Georgia.

The successful completion of the doctoral program requires one to make significant sacrifices and accommodations. Majority of the doctoral students are usually motivated and eager to complete their program as soon as possible. However, many students often enroll for doctoral programs without a complete understanding of the heavy demands of such a program. The doctoral program is unique and bears little resemblance to many previous degree courses and so without the necessary accommodations one can find completing it an uphill task. Each student brings to the program his/her own set of academic strengths and weaknesses (Wisdom, & Leavitt, 2015). The attitude and abilities of each and every doctoral student is unique and so is their management of the program. Therefore, the most important ingredient to doctoral success is the capability to leverage such inherent strengths and find effective ways

Identity is a socially and historically constructed concept. An individual learns about their own identity through interactions with family, peers, organizations, media, and educational institutions. Education and identity are two closely related topics. On average, most Americans will spend a fourth of their life in educational institutions. During this time period students are growing and maturing, but most importantly they are discovering themselves. Students realize their qualities, determine their morals, and establish their beliefs during this time of instruction. Undoubtedly, education forms and challenges a person’s identity throughout the years.

Identity is formed by the influence of various physical and psychological experiences that occurs throughout an individual’s life and reforms their identity. One’s identity is not made through a single event alone but through a series of events that changes it. Moreover, some events are more influential and powerful in the shaping of one 's identity. Identity, as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “The qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from others”. In "Project Classroom Makeover", by Cathy Davidson, the author highlights how students ' developed their identities through various cognitive thinking skills and the freedom to be creative. In "The Naked Citadel", by Susan Faludi, identities are shaped through traditions, rules, and obedience. However, it is not to say that character cannot be formed by both the use of intellectual abilities and long standing practices. The creation and reforming of our identity changes throughout an individual 's life because of the impact of creative thinking, traditions, and relationships.

This essay is a reflective essay on my learning development from a young age through to my current position as a University Student. I will be relating my learning development back to two theories of human development, Vygotstsky’s socio-cultural theory and Marcia’s version of Erikson’s theory of identity development. I will identify and discuss the challenge I have faced with my identity and how this has impacted on my development.

Being successful academically is what students devote their time and efforts to while pursuing a collegiate education at the graduate level. Many find it hard and frustrating to take on such a responsibility at this level because of certain standards of writing, and the time management needed to stay focused on your writing.

All throughout our lives, we wrestle with the question of who am I and what do I want in life? However, it is usually during the adolescent years that this issue really comes to a head and we begin a more earnest search into finding ourselves and deciding the direction we want to take with our lives. One of the theorists who studied this idea of identity formation was James Marcia. Marcia proposed that there were four different stages or statuses in the development of identity which he labeled Identity Diffusion, Identity Foreclosure, Identity Moratorium, and Identity Achievement. In this essay, we will briefly summarize his four different stages and then apply his theory to my own identity development during the adolescent years.

Base on the American Nurses Credentialing Center report, continuing nursing education supports the professional practice of nursing and the delivery of safe, evidence-based, high quality care for patients ((ANCC, 2014). The ultimate goal of continuing nursing education activities are to improve the professional practice of nursing and the care that is provided by registered nurses to patients. (ANCC, 2014). Nurses, in general have the professional responsibility engage in a continuing education activities to maintain professional competency and enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities ( Levett-Jones, 2005). According to the IOM report, it costs a health care facility an average of $ 675,000 for sponsoring continuing education to the

James Marcia, an Eriksonian researcher believed that in to maintain the status “identity achievement” an individual must undergo crisis and make a commitment. Crisis is defined as “the period of identity development during which the individual is exploring alternatives.”(Santrock 386) The commitment is made when different approaches, ideologies, and vocations are explored on their own in response to the crisis. Key Changes in identity primarily occur in emerging adulthood. “Once formed, an identity furnishes individuals with a historical sense of who they have been, a meaningful sense of who they are now, and a sense of who they might become in the future.”(James Marcia)

There are several qualities to have to be successful in college. These qualities can range from attending class to going above and beyond what’s expected. Success comes from the journey taken or the path chosen. Success also comes from being prepared. As a student, I must step up to the challenge and find the path to success along the way. Several ways I define success is to uphold academic integrity, have the ability to prioritize, and to motivate myself to stay on top of what needs to be accomplished.

The quest for self-identity is very significant in this time of my life, which is the reason I have chosen this topic for my project. I am a definite opportunist and I seize every occasion if the possibility of learning something new arises. Although it is very exciting to experience moratorium, it is also at times stressful and daunting having to continuously explore different roles and opportunities. Along with my peers, I am attempting to resolve many existential dilemmas such as “What career path should I follow?” or “What roles apply to me?” These questions give rise to the feeling of identity uncertainty and role confusion.