Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College (OLSBC) Critical Thinking through Writing students spent winter quarter learning about many types of writing and how pieces they create can be used to express their voices.
Social issues affect everyone, and there are many social issues that were discussed in class during a class brainstorm. Students then had to decide what social issue meant the most to them or which social issue they wanted to address.
Throughout the course, students used graphic organizers, and they chose one to use for their social issues graphic. Students started the project by creating a pre-write and rough draft. Each student wrote a paragraph about the social issue or problem and a paragraph about feelings and emotions created when dealing with or being exposed to the issue. Then students wrote the scenes, characters and actions that would be taking place in each comic strip box. Students used the rough draft to begin drawing making sure to check that the pictures told the story or made the point effectively enough that their classmates saw the comic and knew the social issue.
Finally, students took the opportunity to present their social issues comic to their peers. The comics were so well done that there was no question as to which social issues each student had addressed.
Social issues are important research topics because they help students understand that there are many ways to think about and approach the same problem, and they teach essential critical thinking skills. Students learned from their peers’ social issues that they may or may not have realized affect their lives as individuals. Being aware of social issues gives students an insight into personal beliefs and feelings, the beliefs and feelings of others as well as how to cooperate and coordinate with those at school and work. When students are aware, then this will give students the knowledge and if students have knowledge, then they know what is needed and the direction needed to make changes to improve and be successful in all facets of life.
About the OLSBC Critical Thinking Through Writing Course
Critical Thinking Through Writing is taken in the second year of the OLSBC program and is one of the many courses students take to earn their associate degree. In this course, students research, analyze, and debate current social issues using argumentative and persuasive formats.
About Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College
Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College (OLSBC) is an associate degree program for students with learning disabilities. In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals.
Learn more about our program at an upcoming Information Session, open to all prospective students, family members/guardians, educators, counselors and other service providers. Come learn why OLS Bellevue College is one of the best colleges for students with learning disabilities.
Last Updated May 30, 2023