This grant writing course has a very diverse population of students that come from different majors and walks of life. This allows for different perspectives into the concept of grant writing, as well as different ideas about what areas in the community may have the biggest need or benefit the most from a grant. A lot of the participants in this course are social work majors trying to fulfill an elective requirement, some are nonprofit studies minors doing the same. Outside of this we have political science and business majors who are all fulfilling a class requirement and anticipating the learning of a skill that could benefit them in their career field later on.
The class' professor, Laura Hunt Trull, has a BSW, MSW, and PhD and teaches social work courses at James Madison University. Since this class stems from the social work department, the instructor was selected from the social work department's pool of professors. Trull offers an open environment wherein communication, ideas, and change is not only a part of the course, but is welcome. Trull works to build the class around what the students want it to be. Since this is the first semester that this course will be at JMU, the way that the process will be carried out is at the student's fingertips.
The class dynamics are very different from your typical lecture class. Though there are quizzes, exams, and required readings and assignments, it is a very dynamic classroom atmosphere where conversation is encouraged and the instructor is just as willing to learn from her students. This course encourages a collaboration of different perspectives in order to develop the most successful processes for obtaining the highest number of grant applications from the most diverse pool of organizations. Students get to play off of their strengths as the course progresses and use their skills to stir up interest, through marketing and community outreach. This opportunity differs from other classes in the tangibility aspect through participation and involvement in the process. This leads to increased motivation in students as well as higher retention of information and willingness to complete assignments.
When I signed up for this class I had no idea that it was going to have a tangible outcome. It is such a dynamic learning experience to see a grant being given from start to finish, while also getting to take part in the giving side. This will help students see what is or is not effective when applying for grants in their future careers. This hands on learning has made this class extremely exciting and rewarding in the mere two weeks that we have been meeting.