Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2012

Bridging the Gap between the Technical Communication Classroom and the Internship: Teaching Social Consciousness and Real-World Writing

Tiffany Bourelle

Abstract

Service-learning projects and traditional internships both prepare the student of technical communication for the workforce in many ways. What is lacking in the scholarship is a discussion of how to successfully link these two ideas. To help teachers implement courses that bridge the gap between service-learning projects and internships, I discuss how to design a course in technical communication that actively prepares students for subsequent internships with nonprofit agencies. In specific, I outline social development and social learning theories, service-learning pedagogies, and lesson plans and assignments that integrate these theories into practice. This project serves as a model that insists that the teacher first instructs students regarding not only rhetorical aspects of document design, including audience awareness and style, but also in placing the students in internships and designing assignments to be fulfilled in internship roles. The combination of classroom practices with an internship supports the idea that students learn the value of the process of writing, including the social embeddedness that can often influence their writing.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2012-04-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.42.2.f
Open Access
Closed
Topics
service learning multimodality technical communication voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Carlson et al. (2023)
    Tuning to Place: Using Photos to Better Understand Problems in Technical Commun…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Tham et al. (2023)
    Examining Multimodal Community-Engaged Projects for Technical and Professional …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Batova (2021)
    An Approach for Incorporating Community-Engaged Learning in Intensive Online Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Pickering (2018)
    Navigating Discourses of Power Through Relationships
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Kramer-Simpson (2018)
    Feedback From Internship Mentors in Technical Communication Internships
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 7 →
  1. Kohn (2015)
    How Professional Writing Pedagogy and University–Workplace Partnerships Can Sha…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Bourelle (2014)
    New Perspectives on the Technical Communication Internship: Professionalism in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (8)

  1. Amant (2003)
    Expanding Internships to Enhance Academic-Industry Relations: A Perspective in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Sapp et al. (2002)
    A Laboratory in Citizenship: Service Learning in the Technical Communication Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. McEachern (2001)
    Problems in Service Learning and Technical/Professional Writing: Incorporating …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Matthews et al. (1999)
    Integrating service learning and technical communication: Benefits and challenges
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Henson et al. (1998)
    A Service Learning Approach to Business and Technical Writing Instruction
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. HUCKIN (1997)
    Technical Writing and Community Service
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. LITTLE (1993)
    The Technical Communication Internship
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. ANSON et al. (1990)
    Moving Beyond the Academic Community
    Written Communication
Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1108/00400911011017690
     ↗
  2. 10.1177/108056990006300109
     ↗
  3. 10.1177/108056990106400406
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 20 View in citation network →

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