SXU Psychology Professor Creates Hands-On, High-Impact Learning Experiences
Saint Xavier University (SXU) psychology professor LaTreese Hall, Ph.D., is committed to providing her students with hands-on, high-impact learning opportunities that prepare them for meaningful, successful careers.
During the fall semester, Hall's Lifespan Development and Child Development classes, comprised of nursing, psychology, speech-language pathology, and exercise science majors, explored child development through a collaboration with the Oak Lawn Children's Museum as part of a field series. Hall connected with the museum over the summer and was met with mutual excitement.
"I'm always looking for ways to move beyond the textbook, and the museum provides a great real-world setting where students can observe cognitive, physical and psychosocial development in action. It's especially valuable for our nursing, psychology, education, and other helping-profession students," said Hall.
Students received a guided tour and observed infants, toddlers and young children, making note of motor development as children played with the water table, art center, and climbing structures. Students also had the opportunity to engage with the exhibits themselves, exploring them through the lens of a child, which helped them better understand how learning environments are designed to support development. They completed structured observations and post-visit reflections connecting what they saw to development theory and their future careers.
Students who attended the experience at the museum shared that it brought the textbook chapter to life.
"My hope is always that students leave my classes able to apply what they've learned with confidence and empathy. Their insights are so thoughtful and meaningful," said Hall.
Hall, who is in her second year of teaching at Saint Xavier, is inspired by her students.
"What I love most about working with our students is their heart for service and growth. When given experiential opportunities, they really rise to the occasion. Experiences like this highlight meaningful student engagement, community partnership, and innovative experiential learning at SXU," said Hall.
Hall is continuing to build additional high-impact, community-engaged learning opportunities, including more field experiences and applied projects. Her students build reproductive systems out of clay for the prenatal development unit, conduct observations during the infancy and toddler unit, and host a game day for residents at Mercy Circle for the late adulthood unit.