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REFLECTIONS ON PUTTING THEORY IN PRACTICE INTO ACTION IN THE CLASSROOM
Author(s) -
Rizzo AnnMarie
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-1338.1989.tb01000.x
Subject(s) - competence (human resources) , action (physics) , action theory (sociology) , public relations , work (physics) , organizational theory , sociology , epistemology , psychology , political science , social psychology , management , social science , economics , mechanical engineering , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Effective learning necessitates a change of behavior on the part of the student. The author asserts that the introduction of abstract theories to students does little to advance the students' competence or efficiency. Rather, a case is made for allowing students to create their own theories of action based upon their individual circumstances and experiences. The concept of an “action theory” is forwarded as an effective tool for teaching public administration students. The action theory recognizes the student's need to have relevant frameworks and practical guidelines. Furthermore, the author predicts that the action theory will give public administrators greater control over their work environments inasmuch as it establishes more honest assessments of organizational conditions. “If you want to get ahead, get a theory. B. Inholder and A. Karmiloff‐Smith