ERIC Number: EJ1188160
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 36
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0093-3104
EISSN: N/A
Speaking with Confidence and Listening with Empathy: The Impact of "Project Soapbox" on High School Students
Andolina, Molly W.; Conklin, Hilary G.
Theory and Research in Social Education, v46 n3 p374-409 2018
This case study investigates an action civics curriculum, "Project Soapbox", designed to foster key civic outcomes among high school students. Framed by research highlighting profound disparities in civic educational opportunities and the best practices of civic education programs, this article examines the democratic and literacy skills high school students report learning from participation in "Project Soapbox". Data include pre- and post-surveys with 204 high school students from 9 public high schools, classroom observations, teacher interviews, student work samples, and student focus group interviews. Findings indicate that students who participated in "Project Soapbox" reported modest gains in their expectations for future civic engagement and expressed greater confidence in their rhetorical skills. Additionally, although this curriculum is designed to emphasize rhetorical skills and democratic orientations, some of the strongest impact appeared in students' reports of their listening and empathy skills.
Descriptors: High School Students, Civics, Citizenship Education, Outcomes of Education, Public Speaking, Communication Skills, Self Esteem, Listening Skills, Empathy, Rhetoric, Democracy, Social Studies, Best Practices, Curriculum
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Illinois (Chicago)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A