We have learned from other service learning projects how critical it is to have students reflect on what has been accomplished through their projects and where they can grow. To support this process, the student's project book includes a skills matrix for students to set goals and review progress in light of the course's goals and assignments which also forms part of the project book. The student can also reach out through the project book to a wide variety of telementors who have joined the ITM program to provide online help with technical and service questions, as well as career advice. While ITM students are provided with a fully supported workspace on the Web, the ITM teacher has not been forgotten. The teacher also has a personalized project book in Studio A which serves as a management tool for the ITM class.
Teachers can publish the course outline and requirements in all of the students' project books.
They are able to track the students' projects, and evaluate and comment on the work that students place in their portfolio. They can use their project book to review the class's progress with students and parents. After three years of developing the Information Technology Management program and building Studio A to support it, we now seek to expand this model of a web-supported collaborative environment to other subject areas that could thrive in a project environment. Whether in business education classes providing marketing support to local businesses, communications classes doing brochures for community groups, a drama class putting on a play series, there's no limit to the projects and services students can get involved in. The Studio A website is now being developed to support collaborative learning across a much wider range of subject areas, so that students can have greater opportunities to acquire skills and experiences, as well as the pride that comes of providing a welcomed services to others, that will serve them a lifetime.