Learning, Knowledge and Human Development MOOC’s Updates
5. Student Development (Denice Hood)
Comment: Denice Hood offers one example of application of educational psychology to counselling in college. What kinds of supplementary supports do learners need? What are the purposes, methods and roles of counselling psychologists as they address the needs of learners?
Make an Update: Identify and describe an educational conselling need or practice of interest or relevance to you.


Dr. Denice Hood provided a very effective method in providing a more effective way for student development. She highlighted the different needs that students, in particular college students, needed to pay attention to, such as intellectual, physical, and interpersonal skills. This involves providing support for both academic and non-academic aspects related to the students. This means that educational institutions should provide counseling support to their students not only in the form of psychologists being present but in a holistic approach, such as support groups, perhaps clubs for personal hobbies or interests. Academics such as tutorial lessons. Financial aid or support. Service desk for online classes, and more. Counseling psychologists should also train students and faculty on how to provide immediate support to students, especially those who are undergoing depression and stress in their studies and personal lives. As Dr. Hood explained, related to Vector 5 - Establishing Identity - at the adolescent ages, students are looking for their tribe; they are extremely influenced by their peers and society. Hence, guidance from the trusted individual should be provided correctly.
One educational counselling need that is particularly relevant to most college students is support for personal and identity development. College is a crucial period for students to explore who they are, what they value, and what direction they want their lives to take an idea closely related to Chickering’s Seven Vectors of Student Development. Many students struggle with issues of self-identity, independence, managing relationships, and finding purpose, especially as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. Educational counselling, therefore, plays a vital role in guiding students through these developmental challenges. Counselling psychologists help students understand themselves better, build confidence, and develop a sense of autonomy while learning to balance freedom with responsibility. They use practices such as individual and group counselling, reflective activities, and workshops that focus on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and decision-making. This kind of counselling not only addresses emotional and social concerns but also enhances academic motivation and persistence. It is an essential practice because when students gain a clearer sense of identity and purpose, they are more likely to engage meaningfully in their studies, maintain well-being, and achieve long-term personal and professional success.
@Jhill Ann Asedillo, thank you for your insights. Counselling is indeed a need for every educational institution as student support should not only be limited to academic support but also not academic. Students in college are indeed still at the stage of finding their identify or I call it finding their tribe. Furthermore, they are also figuring out their purpose or what they really like to do in life. Hence, a counselor is really helpful to assist these students.
Key concepts essential for understanding this evidence are emotional regulation (how students handle stress and emotions), motivation theory (like self-determination theory, which focuses on autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and resilience (the capacity to bounce back from difficulties). Collectively, these frameworks aid in comprehending why learning results cannot be detached from the social-emotional environments in which they take place
As a learner who feels pressure about what to do and what is my next move should be, I believe it is important to have support not just in academics but also in managing stress. from the video of Denice hood , the example showing that student need more than academic instruction is very true.
student also need supports in handling stress, making choices and receiving guidance. counselling psychologists play a very important role in helping students to manage challenges, and find purpose in life.
One counseling need i find relevant is career guidance. choosing a major or career path is very stressful and often leads us in doubt whether we are making the right decision. career counseling is very useful because it reduces anxiety, and stress, level up the confidence, and helps students to explore their strength, weakness and values.
@Liecel Cabahug, thank you for your insights. Handling stress is not really easy, especially if it develops into chronic stress that might affect mental health and thus lead to poor academic performance. Educational institutions should have prioritized providing non-academic support, especially counselling, to their students, and also provide seminars in raising awareness about mental health issues and how to manage stress, and how to help students in couping up with such events.
College students often need like supplementary supports such as guidance to manage stress, improve the study habits, enhance motivation, and coping with personal or social struggles. Counseling psychologists may address these needs by providing emotional support, also encourage them to set goals, teaching effective like problem-solving and more of coping strategies. They morely use methods like one-on-one counseling, group workshops, and skills training, and their roles include facilitating personal growth of a person, supporting academic success, and promoting overall well-being. These supports help learners navigate college life experience that more effectively and build resilience for future challenges.
Social Media on Students
One area that really interests me is how social media affects students’ well-being and learning. The evidence is pretty mixed: on one hand, social media can connect students, give them a sense of belonging, and even expose them to new ideas. But on the other hand, it can also lead to constant comparison, cyberbullying, and a lot of distraction.
To really understand this, there are a few key ideas we need. Self-regulation—being able to set limits and manage emotions—is huge. Peer influence matters too, because students often copy what their friends are doing online. And then there’s social-emotional learning: skills like empathy and self-awareness help students make better choices in digital spaces.
Bullying is about more than the act itself, social media use is about the social and emotional conditions that shape whether it becomes a tool for growth or a source of stress.
Denise Hood gave an example of application of educational psychology to counseling in college. It is vital to understand and address the academic, social, and emotional issues of the student. As mental health concerns arose and became more prevalent among young adults, specifically college students, the education counseling and psychology must level up in application to support the needs of the students.
Stigmatized issues such as anxiety and depression became a hindrance on continuous learning of the students. Supplementary support must be given to the learners in order to resolve and improve their condition as human beings. Counselors must give them academic support such as giving them tutoring workshops and opportunities to acquire new skills. This development will support their growth and journey on healing and improvement. Additionally, counselors should strengthen the counseling sessions for the students by hiring professionals and experts specialized in different concepts of psychology.
@Sandra Mae Reaño, stigmatizing and generalizing anxiety and depression should not be tolerated. Student support, especially related to mental health, should be a priority for college schools. Providing academic and non-academic support, such as counselling is a great help to help students facing mental health issues.
Denise Hood gave an example of application of educational psychology to counseling in college. It is vital to understand and address the academic, social, and emotional issues of the student. As mental health concerns arose and became more prevalent among young adults, specifically college students, the education counseling and psychology must level up in application to support the needs of the students.
Stigmatized issues such as anxiety and depression became a hindrance on continuous learning of the students. Supplementary support must be given to the learners in order to resolve and improve their condition as human beings. Counselors must give them academic support such as giving them tutoring workshops and opportunities to acquire new skills. This development will support their growth and journey on healing and improvement. Additionally, counselors should strengthen the counseling sessions for the students by hiring professionals and experts specialized in different concepts of psychology.
Social and emotional factors strongly affect learning. When students feel safe and supported, their attention to the task at hand improves, their retention of the knowledge being offered is enhanced, and they are more willing to participate. Conversely, stress and anxiety can retrieve a memory or concentrate on a task (Immordino-Yang & Damasio, 2007). Hence, learning is not solely a cognitive act but is also emotional and social.
An Update: Test Anxiety as an Obstacle to Learning
Test anxiety is a major socio-behavioral issue. It becomes a barrier against the ability of the students to focus, retrieve and perform well on tests, despite their understanding of the material (Putwain, 2008). High anxiety levels provoke increased release of stress hormones, which may damage working memory (Owens et al., 2012).
For insight:
- Affective Filter (Krashen, 1982): Stressed learning.
- Growth Mindset (Dweck, 2006): Lowers fear of failure.
Solution: Being in a supportive classroom environment and taking time for mindfulness activities help to reduce anxiety, as does teaching students that mistakes are opportunities to learn.
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset. Random House.
Immordino-Yang, M. H., & Damasio, A. (2007). Mind, Brain, and Education, 1(1), 3–10.
Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Pergamon Press.
Fostering Student Development: The School Counseling Role
Comment
Denice Hood gives some examples of the application of educational psychology in the university setting, with special attention to the students' needs and knowledge development. To become successful scholars, students typically require extra assistance in the fields of career guidance, mental health guidance, academic advising, and social-emotional guidance. Counseling psychologists are primarily responsible for meeting these needs by assisting students in developing coping mechanisms, establishing academic and career objectives, and becoming resilient. Their interventions are through one-on-one counseling, group workshops, and coordination with faculty to ensure supportive learning environments. Ultimately, their aim is to promote student success, well-being, and personal development.
Mental health services for college students is probably the most essential of all education counseling needs. With mounting academic pressures, social issues, and financial difficulties, anxiety, depression, and burnout have become normal for most students. Counseling programs incorporating mindfulness training, stress management courses, and peer support groups can be particularly useful for addressing student wellness. Increasing access to teletherapy and including mental health training in orientation can also normalize the process of getting help and build a healthier learning environment.