Impact of outside-the-classroom involvement on cognitive and affective development for community college students.

Abstract

It has been well-documented that involvement, both inside and outside the classroom, is an important element in the development of college students. Since 46% of first-time freshman are enrolled in community colleges (American Association of Community Colleges Enrollment Data, 2002), it is especially important to look at how involvement affects students at two-year institutions. In addition, it is helpful to know what types of involvement are likely to lead to particular gains.

For this study, students in 18 groups, ranging from the Student Newspaper to Men's Soccer, completed 267 surveys, and provided information about their type and level of involvement outside-the-classroom, the specific cognitive or affective gains they believe they experienced from their involvement, their motivation toward involvement, and other background information including their gender, age, ethnicity, GPA, and hours of enrollment. The researcher found that students who were involved in either Varsity Athletics or Student Government developed stronger leadership skills and greater self-confidence. For that reason, it is important to encourage students---even commuter students at a metropolitan community college---to get involved outside-the classroom, and it is essential for faculty and college administrators to understand the importance of co-curricular involvement opportunities in the affective and cognitive development of students.