Service Learning and Public Scholarship in the IST Program

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Service Learning and Public Scholarship in the
IST Program

• Ed Green
• Lecture IST
• The Pennsylvania State University
• The Abington College
• 215-881-7332
• exg13_at_psu.edu
• www.personal.psu.edu/exg13

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Agenda

• Service Learning versus Public Scholarship
• Process
• Identifying opportunities
• Utilization as essential course components
• Success stories

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Service Learning versus Public Scholarship

• Service Learning leveraging community-based
  projects as essential learning components
• Public Scholarship applying classroom knowledge
  to service projects to improve the civil
  environment of a community

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Identifying Opportunities

• Essential for effective problem-based learning
  experiences
• Project opportunities abound but . . . which
  ones are the right ones?
• Project sources f (networking)
• Analogous to marketing opportunity development
• Project selection f (course objectives)
• Analogous to marketing opportunity qualification

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Opportunity Qualification
Opportunity 1 Opportunity 2 Opportunity 3 . . . Opportunity n
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 4
. . .
Objective n
Project
Course
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Course Component Utilization

• Key learning element
• Basis of lab activity
• Accompanying course project
• Both
• Ultimate objective reinforcing the essential
  learning objectives experientially
• Complimentary objective meeting a critical
  community need
• Success measurement based on sponsors assessment
• Functional
• Technical

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Success Stories
Course Sponsor Project Results
IST 440W (Spring, 2003) Center for Literacy Philadelphia, PA Web Portal Design provide external access to deployed staff. One proposed solution selected and implemented.
IST 440W (Fall, 2003) Pennsylvania Association of Adult Continuing Educators Trade Study identify a COTS conference management alternative to current product. No viable alternative identified engineered solution proposed and accepted.
IST 421 (Spring, 2003) American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania Trade study identify a field data entry environment for first responders. Two solutions proposed. Elements of both included implemented in modernization project.
IST 421 (Fall, 2004) Global Enterprise Management Prototype develop Internet fulfillment application to support physically challenged employees. Two solutions proposed. Elements of both included in down-select. Solution developed in IST 440W.
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Success Stories
Course Sponsor Project Status
IST 440W (Spring, 2005) Global Enterprise Management Develop workplace environment based on Fall, 2004 IST 421 prototype down select. Two viable alternatives proposed being assessed by sponsor for near-term implementation
IST 495 Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Analyze and document physical library facilities in support of Strategic Plan Phase I. Ongoing activity. February August, 2005
IST 210 KLA-TENCOR Develop a database prototype to support remote product maintenance. Summer, 2005
IST 301 IST 331 IST 421 KLA-TENCOR Execute SDLC-phased project focused on security aspects of remote computer support. Fall, 2005 Spring, 2006 Fall 2006
IST 495 Pauls Run Provide computer training and assistance to senior citizens. Develop learning opportunities for residents. Ongoing internship opportunity begins May 26th, 2005
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Summary Results

• Improved student learning
• Improving SRTE scores
• More open and honest communication with and among
  students
• Better student teaming
• Stronger student leadership
• Better project results
• Emerging sense of community and civil
  responsibility
• Involved alumni

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For More Information
Go to the Public Scholarship section
onwww.personal.psu.edu/exg13