Service Learning Project

Why Do Service Learning?
“using communication tools that to this point I did not know existed, we accomplished goals that I would not have imagined possible.” CH	“When I was told that I would have to be a mentor to high school kids it was hard for me…. I’m only 21 years old and just got out of high school only two years ago and I didn’t think I had much help for these kids…. But after we were there, my whole perspective about this changed. All these kids are in the same situation I was like when I was their age…. The thing is though, I never had any help from older people to help me out and I had to learn the hard way through my teenage years…. This project was something I looked forward to every time we were scheduled to go.” PH

“I will always view this class as a true ‘turning point’ in my life with regard to communication.”

“Over the space of the last nine weeks, I have learned many things about myself and my communication styles…. Understanding my own personal conflict style, the reasons for conflict, and the positive side of conflict was very useful information. To this point in my life, I have always viewed conflict as something to be avoided at all costs. Looking back, I must admit that this viewpoint has hindered my positive view of myself and in my dealings with family, co-workers and friends. When I learned that conflict is positive, I realized that I have got to stop avoiding conflict and start actively using the various conflict management tactics that the text outlines…. “CH


	“I thought that communication couldn’t be as complex as it is….It’s all so interesting to me because it is stuff that goes on every day, every hour and every minute…. Every movement, every silence, every gesture is communication…. I loved this class. It’s not so cut and dry as ____, not so boring as ____, and not so predictable as ____…. I learned so much from our service-learning project. I personally think that it was the best part of the class. I actually got to take everything that I learned in the class and apply it to the real world.” KW

Speech 210 students learn about interpersonal communication through a service learning project. A service learning project puts them in direct contact with others in a real-world situation. What do the students think of learning in this way? Click on the link to see a slideshow of their reactions.

	“I have learned that the connection between the quality of my communication and quality of my life is directly linked.” CY