Creating Successful Class Projects in Inside Out Classes

• In Event: Alternative Pedagogical Techniques for Improved Student Learning

Abstract

One challenging aspect of teaching an Inside Out (IO) class is helping students to develop and execute a successful class project. My students choose their class project, but I provide them strict parameters. Their projects must: (a) reflect the course theme; (b) addresses a current criminal/juvenile justice policy, practice or program; (c) be designed so that it can be implemented in the real world; (d) and must be evidence-based. Lower level undergrads (both Inside and Out) often find this intimidating, but then I explain that we will “practice” doing the project first. Creating a way to practice doing such a large project immediately addresses their concerns. Two weeks before we start work on the class project, I run the students through a mini-simulation of what it will be like to do the project. They are given a problem to address, relevant readings, and asked to devise a strategy to address it. During course debriefing sessions, students state that the mini-simulation was one of their favorite activities all semester. Successful class projects come in all packages, but with a little foresight, planning and “practice,” IO instructors can improve student buy-in, effort and quality of class projects, and their students’ overall IO experience.

Author

• Crystal A Garcia, SPEA Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis