ERIC Number: EJ1023074
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1740-4630
EISSN: N/A
Assessing the Merits of International Service-Learning in Developing Professionalism in Mass Communication
Motley, Phillip; Sturgill, Amanda
Communication Teacher, v27 n3 p172-189 2013
This project assessed how an international service-learning course affected mass communication students' knowledge of professionalism. Using written reflections and focus group transcripts from four courses that took place in Central America, we observed that placing students in immersive environments, where they are able to work on authentic tasks, can enhance their knowledge of specific professional issues. Our observations include managing client relationships, negotiating diverse project teams, and making technology choices appropriate to client and audience. We isolate significant aspects of the course pedagogy and offer suggestions to adapt conventional semester projects to gain some of the affordances of immersion and authenticity.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Service Learning, Study Abroad, Professional Development, Experiential Learning, Journalism Education, Graduate Students, Focus Groups, Grounded Theory, Student Journals, Qualitative Research, Interpersonal Relationship, Problems, Teamwork, Computer Use
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Journal Articles
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A