Technical Communication Quarterly Sep 1999

Integrating service learning and technical communication: Benefits and challenges

Catherine Matthews ; Beverly B. Zimmerman Brigham Young University

Abstract

Our ethnographic study of a service‐learning class revealed some students benefited in developing civic values, improving academic learning, and accepting responsibility for their own education. Other students struggled to see the connection between technical communication and service learning, felt frustrated with nonacademic writing, and experienced team conflict. We must redefine both technical communication and service learning, help students make the transition to the workplace, and educate community organizations about the role of technical communicators.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1999-09-01
DOI
10.1080/10572259909364676
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
service learning technical communication qualitative research
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (30)

  1. Gunning (2025)
    How Do Nonprofit Proposal Writers Learn Their Jobs? Results of a Nationwide Sur…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Pennell et al. (2024)
    Survival and Distinctiveness: The Impulses Shaping the Communication Practices …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Tham et al. (2023)
    Examining Multimodal Community-Engaged Projects for Technical and Professional …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Baniya et al. (2022)
    Revisiting SL in TPC Through Social Justice and Intercultural Frameworks: Findi…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Robles et al. (2019)
    Using Case-Method Pedagogy to Facilitate Audience Awareness
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 30 →
  1. Chong (2018)
    Implementing Usability Testing in Introductory Technical Communication Service …
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Kimball (2017)
    The Golden Age of Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Phelps-Hillen (2017)
    Inception to Implementation: Feminist Community Engagement via Service-Learning
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  4. Jones (2017)
    Modified Immersive Situated Service Learning: A Social Justice Approach to Prof…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  5. Tomlinson (2017)
    Enhancing Student Learning Through Scaffolded Client Projects
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  6. Nielsen (2016)
    Facilitating Service Learning in the Online Technical Communication Classroom
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  7. Hea et al. (2016)
    Silent Partners: Developing a Critical Understanding of Community Partners in T…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Kramer-Simpson et al. (2015)
    Learning Beyond the Classroom and Textbook: Client Projects’ Role in Helping St…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  9. Pope-Ruark et al. (2014)
    Student and Faculty Perspectives on Motivation to Collaborate in a Service-Lear…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  10. Wickman (2014)
    Wicked Problems in Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  11. Youngblood et al. (2013)
    Lessons in Service Learning: Developing the Service Learning Opportunities in T…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  12. Soria et al. (2013)
    A “Virtual Fieldtrip”: Service Learning in Distance Education Technical Writing…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  13. Bourelle (2012)
    Bridging the Gap between the Technical Communication Classroom and the Internsh…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  14. Scott (2008)
    The Practice of Usability: Teaching User Engagement Through Service-Learning
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  15. Paretti et al. (2007)
    Teaching Technical Communication in an Era of Distributed Work: A Case Study of…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  16. Turnley (2007)
    Integrating Critical Approaches to Technology and Service-Learning Projects
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  17. Turnley (2007)
    Integrating Critical Approaches to Technology and Service-Learning Projects
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  18. Paretti (2006)
    Audience Awareness: Leveraging Problem-Based Learning to Teach Workplace Commun…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  19. Taylor (2006)
    Assessment in Client-Based Technical Writing Classes: Evolution of Teacher and …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  20. Hutchinson (2005)
    Living the Rhetoric: Service Learning and Increased Value of Social Responsibility
    Pedagogy
  21. Hea (2005)
    Developing Stakeholder Relationships: What’s at Stake?
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  22. Rentz et al. (2005)
    Selling Peace in a Time of War: The Rhetorical and Ethical Challenges of a Grad…
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  23. Dubinsky et al. (2005)
    Service-Learning and Professional Communication
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  24. Scott (2005)
    Taking Root: Seminal Essays in Service-Learning and Professional Communication
    Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric
  25. Barton et al. (2003)
    A Case of Multiple Professionalisms: Service Learning and Control of Communicat…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

References (35) · 4 in this index

  1. Adler‐Kassner Linda (1997)
    Writing the Community: Concepts and Models for Service‐Leaming in Composition
  2. ANSON et al. (1990)
    Moving Beyond the Academic Community: Transitional Stages in Professional Writing
    Written Communication
  3. Arroyo Emely (1998)
    Daily Universe
  4. Bacon Nora (1997)
    Writing the Community: Concepts and Models for Service Learning in Composition.
  5. Bowers C. A. (1990)
    Responsive Teaching: An Ecological Approach to Classroom Patterns of Language, Culture, a…
    Advances in Contemporary Educational Thought Series 4
Show all 35 →
  1. Burnett Rebecca E. (1991)
    Technical Communication
  2. Cohen Jeremy (1994)
    10.1177/107769589304800402
    Journalism Educator  ↗
  3. Conrad Dan (1991)
    Phi Delta Kappan
  4. _____ (1987)
    Youth Service: A Guidebook for Developing and Operating Effective Programs.
  5. 10.2307/358271
     ↗
  6. Delve Cecilia I. (1990)
    Community Service as Values Education
    New Directions for Student Service 50
  7. Fox Helen (1994)
    Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
  8. Freire Paulo (1996)
    Dialogues and Conversations
  9. Giles Dwight E. (1994)
    Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
  10. Hay Robert D. (1990)
    Strategic Management in Non‐Profit Organizations: An Administrator's Handbook
  11. 10.2307/358813
     ↗
  12. Huckin, Thomas N. Service Learning Workshop. 28 Apr., Provo, UT: Presented at Brigham Young University.
  13. HUCKIN (1997)
    Technical Writing and Community Service
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  14. Kendall, Jane C., and Associates (1990)
    Combining Service and Learning: A Resource Book for Community and Public Service
  15. Lempert David (1996)
    Escape from the Ivory Tower: Student Adventures in Democratic Experiential Education
  16. Morgan Meg (1991)
    Technical Communication
  17. Moxley Joseph (1994)
    Becoming an Academic Writer: A Modern Rhetoric
  18. Newton Adam Zachary (1995)
    Narrative Ethics.
     ↗
  19. Nussbaum Martha C. (1995)
    Poetic Justice: The Literary Imagination and Public Life.
  20. Olenick, Arnold J. and R. Olenick, Philip. “Organization Building.”. A Nonprofit Organization Operating Manua…
  21. Rifkin Jeremy (1995)
    The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post‐market Era
  22. Rossum Constance (1993)
    How to Assess Your Nonprofit Organization with Peter Drucker's Five Most Important Questi…
  23. Rubin Sharon G. (1990)
    Liberal Education
  24. Schutz et al. (1998)
    Service Learning and English Studies: Rethinking "Public" Service
    College English
  25. 1998. “Service Learning @ BYU: What are We Aiming For?”. Publication of the Brigham Young University Faculty …
  26. Smith (1994)
    Against "Illegeracy": Toward a New Pedagogy of Civic Understanding
    College Composition and Communication
  27. 10.2307/378259
     ↗
  28. Witmer Judith T. (1994)
    How to Establish a High School Service Learning Program.
  29. Yelsma Paul (1994)
    Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning
  30. Zlotkowski, Edward. Service‐Learning Seminar. 27 Mar., Provo, UT: Presented at Brigham Young University.
CrossRef global citation count: 49 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Dec 2023
    Fostering Advocacy, Developing Empathetic UX Bricoleurs: Ongoing Programmatic Assessment and Responsive Curriculum Design ↗
    Scott J. Kowalewski; Bill Williamson
    writing pedagogy curriculum design service learning teacher development assessment technical communication professional writing empirical research qualitative research
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2016
    Public Engagement in Environmental Impact Studies: A Case Study of Professional Communication in Transportation Planning ↗
    Kristen R. Moore
    rhetorical criticism discourse analysis service learning technical communication professional writing qualitative research multimodality
  3. Community Literacy Journal Oct 2014
    Community Engagement in a Graduate-Level Community Literacy Course ↗
    Betsy Bowen; Kirsti Arko; Joel Beatty; Cindy Delaney; Isidore Dorpenyo; Laura Koeller; Elsa Roberts; John Velat
    rhetorical criticism graduate education service learning technical communication qualitative research digital rhetoric literacy studies public rhetoric community literacy
  4. Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric Jul 2009
    Writing Theories / Changing Communities: Introduction ↗
    Ellen Cushman; Jeffrey T. Grabill
    rhetorical criticism cultural rhetorics service learning teacher development technical communication qualitative research literacy studies public rhetoric community literacy
  5. Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric Apr 2008
    Service Education as (Auto?)-Ethnographic Encounter ↗
    Jim Henry
    graduate education service learning technical communication qualitative research