I have been trying desperately to wrap my head around Social Cognitive Theory this last little bit. I just did NOT see how it applied to my project because I am not interested in student behaviors, their choices (agency) and I’m only interested in their environment in that I want to improve enabling programs. I kept thinking that I’m only interested in what improved their self-efficacy and whether or not we can implement whatever that is in enabling education more widely.

So it took a few days of a frustrating cycle of reading, learning, thinking, dismissing, getting frustrated and then readings something else. In the end I rang Anna (supervisor) and asked what I was missing. Because I do feel like I understood everything that Bandura was saying about SCT… but I still didn’t see the link to my project.

So Anna pointed out an article of hers where she had applied Bandura’s SCT to inclusive assessments (I think, I still haven’t read the whole thing). She defined “behaviors” as “learning and teaching acts” and the penny dropped! I am not interested in student behavior but I AM interested in the learning and teaching that goes on!
Basically I had adopted a very narrow view of what was meant by behaviors, and environment (situational factors) for that matter too! So this was a little difficult for me to come to terms with. I have always prided myself on my ability to see different perspectives, to think critically and so on. But I just did not see that my issue was a narrow view, or should I say definition.

Maybe I was resistant to seeing more because I was fundamentally opposed to the feedback, just because it was feedback? I don’t think so! Yes, initially I was struggling to come to terms with the feedback (a normal reaction I’m told) but I am certain I have moved past that. Even more certain now I see the value in applying this framework to my project.

Anyway, there is a lesson in there somewhere that I think it worth sharing (obviously). First, think about the theoretical framework for all projects early on. You can start with research questions, but that’s not always the best option. And then of course, KNOW your framework, backwards! Then there’s a lesson about defining the key terms or concepts.

Make sure your definition is not too broad or too narrow. Check out what others have done and get advice from as many people as possible! Also I guess, don’t be scared to choose a different framework but do your research first!