ERIC Number: EJ798298
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1080-5699
EISSN: N/A
Use Service Learning to Add Real-World Writing Experience to Your Course
Mennen, Kathy
Business Communication Quarterly, v69 n2 p192-195 2006
Service learning is both a pedagogy and a philosophy; the central idea is to provide students with a setting for meaningful learning through a specific, curriculum-based community service activity. It is a "win-win" situation for everyone because students get to apply their knowledge and skills in "the real world," a nonprofit organization gets free help, and the service clients reap the benefits of the extra assistance. Research shows that service learning helps students retain more information learned in class, achieve higher course grades, and have greater satisfaction with the course. It also shows that service learning increases students' awareness of their community and its needs, helps change stereotypical beliefs, and increases understanding of social and cultural diversity. In this article, the author describes how her Advanced Report Writing class at Baker College of Muskegon, Michigan, worked with the local chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. One particularly successful project was doing grant research and writing grant applications. Through this project, the agency received the equivalent of a part-time fund developer: Baker College students conducted more than 1,000 hours of research over 2 years. In addition, the author suggests ways on how to incorporate service learning into one's course.
Descriptors: Service Learning, Technical Writing, Nonprofit Organizations, Grants, Proposal Writing, College Students
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A