Service Learning in Computer Science and related disciplines

This file is http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/dickey/sl-workshop/cs-sl-web-resources.html. Web paged started 7/10/99. Last updated 8/24/99.

Pointers to general web resources for service learning.

General suggestions for SL opportunities in CS

http://www.fiu.edu/~time4chg/Library/ideas.html Within "101 ideas for combining service and learning." Contains three concrete SL suggestions for CS, none for science or math.

CS in individual CS courses

Pete Sanderson's CSC 300 : Service Learning in Computer Science course at SMSU. Can only be taken as an adjunct to the CSC450 Software Engineering course.

Paper in JCSC by LeBlank and Baron of Wheaton College, 5/1999, on a SL project in CS2.

Have hard-copy of a 1995 syllabus of MA2101, "Introduction to Computer Science", a programming-oriented (BASIC) CS0 class taught by Joan Kleinman at Middlesex Community College (MA). As a required part of the course, students could either write a research paper, or participate in a S.L. experience in the public schools. Kleinman co-authored a paper about it.

I've tried a service-learning group project as part of an introductory database course, CSE 444.

SL in CS at the department or college level

Purdue University has a program called EPICS: Engineering Projects in Community Service, founded in 1995. It involves "vertically integrated" teams (i,e, undergraduate students at different levels, not tied to a particular course) working long-term (more than one semester) on projects for and with local community service agencies. Two of the founding members, Leah Coyle and Leah Jamieson, are computer scientists. The program is now open to students in several undergraduate engineering disciplines.

Virginia Tech offers credit for a "service learning Field Study" which is registered for like an independent study. The CS-Squared program was based (originally at least) in the Professionalism in Computing course. (The whole VT site is a little difficult to navigate. Course descriptions may be found via the catalog.)

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) offers CIS 305, Community Service Internship, which involves "involves approximately 40 hours of internship in a community agency, arranged through the NJIT Cares Program. The interns will use their skills to improve the effectiveness of the use of computers at the agency."

Discussions on the Service Learning Discussion List

Searching the SL discussion list (which goes back to 1993) for "computer scien", there were about 27 matches. Some were requests for information about incorporating SL into computer courses. Only a few describe actual experiences or proposals.

Virginia Tech: CS-Squared (9/95)
NJ Institute of Technology (11/94).
SEAMS (4/96, Indianapolis) was supposed to have 2 sessions on SL and the sciences.
A Deborah Ludford is mentioned, apparently at Glendale (CA) CC (6/96).
Announcement of publication (9/96) by Campus Compact of "booklet, "Science and Society: Redefining the Relationship" to foster a dialogue in the SEAMS (science, engineering, architecture, mathematics and computer science) disciplines. This publication maps the development of 18 service-learning courses in the SEAMS disciplines." Also, 5 instructors were recognized for SL contributions in SEAM disciplines, including Deborah Wiegand at UW. There were also one-day training courses (6/96) on SL for SEAMS faculty.
Bethel College, faculty concern about adding SL to their math/CS courses (1996).
U. of Alaska Southeast (Juneau). A CS faculty there is said to use service learning (9/1995). [This seems to be a dead-end. UAS doesn't even offer a major in computer science.]
Typical non-CS person's idea of appropriate computer service learning projects. The following msgs (#91, #99) are in the same vein.

SL in math departments

I think there's been a lot of activity. Haven't yet found a site that points to much of it. Some names that have cropped up: Jerry Dwyer at Colorado. Beth Smith at Grossmont CC (CA). Mark Hampton, Utah. Many more...