Students in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Social Sciences and Communication are getting real-world experience in a business environment through the ASBTDC.
In the spring and fall of 2016, ASBTDC assisted UALR faculty in the Applied Communication (formerly Speech Communication) and Rhetoric and Writing departments with designing opportunities for their students to work with local small businesses.
Dr. Joe Williams’ Usability Testing and Design class (RHET 4372) last spring studied participating businesses’ websites and rated their usability and design for their target customers.
Students in the Crisis Communication course (SPCH 7350) assessed participating companies’ ability to respond during a crisis and helped the businesses prepare detailed crisis management plans.
Working with local business owners gives students who may never take a business course a valuable educational experience.
“Students outside the College of Business get to see how the education they are gaining and skills they are learning can impact a business in their community. Understanding that businesses large and small have a need for services in their degree field opens the door to a broader scope of career options as well as experience before they leave the classroom,” said Nancy Knighten, who coordinates ASBTDC’s high-impact learning experiences.
Since 2010, more than 1,500 university students across Arkansas have taken part in project-based learning through ASBTDC. Faculty design projects that complement their courses, and the center finds local small businesses that match the project needs and wish to participate.
Contact Knighten at nrknighten@ualr.edu for more information.