Students studying community development will enjoy the smooth transition from the classroom to the office or community. Classroom communication is similar for those studying the discipline to that of those working in the field. At Portland State University, courses offered in community development are often structured around half lecture and half student engagement (i.e.: discussion group, video, volunteer activities, etc.). Instructors emphasize to students that analytical thinking is essential in this field. The goal of lectures is never to spit out and repeat words on tests, it is about understanding first, then communicating through thought-provoking stories, thoughts, concerns, and ideas – which will ideally happen through discussion. Community Development instructors like to show video clips/movies to engage students in their learning while using Power Points for lessons. In my personal experience, I have found that the stories shared by teachers are exceptionally beneficial. Listening to real experiences makes the process of understanding discipline scenarios much more enjoyable. It is very important that students know how to read and understand graphs and other forms of statistical data. “You have to assume you have an audience full of people who will all have different learning styles. I think you have to be prepared to have a variety of materials and presentations… Power Points with graphics and facts that get to the point (Chapman). “Compared to studying medicine or engineering, community development is a relatively small field of study and work. While biology classrooms tend to be large lecture-based classes, community development classes tend to consist of smaller lessons, discussions in the middle of a sheet of paper.... .. and they are able to dress moderately casually.ReadingFour several times a year, Oxford publishes an updated copy of the Community Development Journal. Oxford is proud to be the leading international journal in the field of community development. These reviews address a wide range of topics, covering important developments from previous years, and also provide the reader with a framework for debates about particular theories. Professionals in the field value the journals published by Oxford because they offer a broad definition of community development, highlighting policy development, planning, and actions that impact the lives of communities. Oxford's Community Development Journal emphasizes articles that challenge knowledge, community development issues related to social justice, diversity and sustainability responses, and debates innovative practices.,