The Tiger

Clemson has always prided itself on student engagement and participation, especially projects which involve the community.

Numerous service learning projects take place on campus every day; the results of which are beneficial to both Clemson students and locals.

Currently, one class is working to uphold this tradition of community involvement and productivity by putting classroom skills to work.

Students in Professor Ashley Cowden's technical writing class are currently taking part in an interesting learning opportunity.

Partnering with McCants Middle school, the class is producing an educational DVD about cheating and the dangers thereof to discourage students from academic dishonesty.

Because academic dishonesty is a growing problem among high school and junior high students, the technical writing class saw a need to educate students about the long-term consequences that cheating can hold.

This semester-long project was started earlier in the year because of its attention to servicing the community as well as its collaboration with the curriculum of the technical writing class.

Objectives of this course include analyzing audience and context while working in groups to create a product of technical skill.

Also, students are taught to identify and address informational societal needs and respond effectively.

While helping students obtain bankable skills for the real world, this project will also create a long-term impact for the students of McCants as well.

"Currently we are working hand in hand with the students there to come up with a script for the DVD, which will be performed by students from their school, and then we will collect all the raw footage and put it into a DVD presentation for the middle school to use for many years to come," said technical writing student Heather Nelson.

The DVD will embody the characteristics of honesty, integrity and respect that lie at the heart of Clemson's vision. This DVD will also reinforce Clemson's academic integrity.

The University adheres to a strict policy regarding academic dishonesty, and being a part of this project reinforces these values while encouraging future Tigers to embrace them as well.

Both Clemson and McCants students will be starring in the production as well as other familiar faces.

"We will be getting President Barker involved," said Nelson. "And there is also talk of getting SC Senators involved as well."

The DVD will be presented on Dec. 4 to McCants Middle School. Students in professor Cowden's class are excited to participate in this unique learning experience but even more honored to give back to Clemson's local community.

Article Tools