Teaching Students to Apply Foundational Knowledge Through the Use of Vignettes

Abstract

Students seeking degrees in recreation, park resources and leisure services (RPRLS) need to learn how to apply their foundational knowledge to address issues in professional practice. This paper describes the Vignette assignment, which is a conceptual paper that provides students the opportunity to develop complex thinking and advanced writing skills while demonstrating how they can apply theory to practice. Vignettes require students to explain what they do in their RPRLS specialization (e.g., recreation program design, program delivery, and program evaluation) and why they do it (i.e., provide a valid rationale). Theoretical bases, assignment instructions, teaching tips, a rubric, an example student paper, and learning outcomes are provided.