Academic Service Learning
Get involved in making a difference in the community and gain new skills, knowledge, and connections!
Students in academic service learning course apply their skills to real-world issues in the non-profit and government sectors through projects and placements with community organizations. Davenport believes strongly in helping students to become involved, productive citizens in their communities.
At Davenport, Academic Service Learning (ASL) is:
"a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs, and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciate of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of personal values and civic responsibility" (Bringle & Hatcher, 2005).
What are the benefits of ASL?
- Personal and interpersonal development
- Understanding and applying knowledge
- Engagement
- Curiosity
- Reflective practice
- Critical thinking
- Perspective transformation
- Citizenship
Here are some examples of recent ASL projects:
BITS 303: Web Authoring Applications
- Students designed a web site for the first public library in Rwanda library and produced the Novi, Michigan Chamber of Commerce online member directory
BUSN 495: Business Planning Capstone
- Students produced a business plan for the Hope Network Micro Enterprise Program which serves clients with disabilities
TECH 497: Technology Capstone
- Students completed technology needs assessments for Livonia, Michigan area non-profits and granted funding through the Pay it Forward Project to help these organizations build their technology infrastructure
HUMN 101: Arts & Culture
- Students organized a community read at the Kentwood, Michigan public library to discuss the current health care implications of Rebecca Skloot's book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Many of Davenport's ASL projects are supported by its membership in Michigan Campus Compact. [1]