In href="http://www.bgsu.edu/cconline/tayloriley/pedagogy_benefits.html">Open
Source and Academia, Laurie Taylor and Brendan Riley point out some
possible benefits of applying the open source development model in a
service learning project:

While Open Source can connect to models for service
learning,
service learning can be done by an individual in service to the
community. The Open Source model requires that a collaborative group
undertake the project. Additionally, while a service learning project
may last one semester, Open Source projects should strive to remain
open for later revision for a longer period. Further, Open Source as a
method requires that the discussion and documentation be available for
later groups to implement or alter. Service learning is instead more
focused on the individual experience with the project rather than later
repeatability.

Now there is a live example with a couple of hundred professional writing students
working within an open source development model community, Purdue
University's Open Source Development and Documentation Project (OSDDP). The
following is from our most recent press release, href="http://pw.english.purdue.edu/osddp/node/view/166">Open source networked learning helps writing students excel at Purdue University
:

Earlier today, I posted about Jeffrey Veen's Making A Better Open Source CMS to drupal.org. In response, Dries has offered 4 hours of his development time for implementing Veen's suggestions for every one hour of consultancy Veen and/or his company spends in reviewing Drupal. This would be good for Drupal users in general, including those of us on Kairosnews. So the question is whether or not this was just an academic critique, or is Veen really interested in improving open source CMS's?

Yippee! :D I am V. happy about this:

Call for Webtexts: Kairos CoverWeb 10.1

Blogs, Wikis, and Drupal—Oh my! The Intersection of Online Writing Spaces, Rhetorical Theory, and the Composition Classroom

Kairos: Rhetoric, Technology, Pedagogy, an online, peer-reviewed journal (http://english.ttu.edu/kairos), is seeking submissions for the Fall 2005
CoverWeb issue on the intersection of online writing spaces, rhetorical theory, and the composition classroom. As more universities turn to
computerized composition classrooms, the use of blogs, wikis, drupal spaces, Blackboard and WebCT, and other online writing spaces has become
more widespread. Still, little has been theorized about how these spaces interact with rhetorical theory generally and affect the teaching of composition
specifically. Often billed as a tool for creating a “true audience” beyond the teacher, these spaces are sometimes limited to the members of a given
classroom, sometimes addressed to an entire program, and other times placed on the Internet and therefore open to any reader on the World Wide Web.
Occasionally, however, the writing that people do in these spaces goes unrevised, remains unread, and potentially reaches no audience at all.

Bryght is the Drupal equivalent of MT's TypePad service. So far, looks like they haven't posted any rates, but the idea is definitely right on for those that want a Drupal site with no fuss.

Also, a point of recommendation. I've been following Drupal Development for a while, and the Bryght team members listed as active in Drupal are strong contributors to the project. I would expect very professional service.