Service learning utilizing "live" business partnerships

Abstract

Numerous organizations and companies can provide students of computer science and computer information systems with high quality applied learning and service learning experiences. At Missouri Western State University (MWSU), students are divided into design and implementation teams directed by faculty members; local and national companies such as Inter-Serv, YWCA, and Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office become project clients. This blends Service / Applied Learning models followed by other universities (Iowa State University and Virginia Tech, Service-Learning Models)[1] to engage students in "live" projects that strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills while they analyze, design, and develop clients' prospective application systems. Project clients, corporate sponsors and business officers bring industry's needs, expertise, and peer review to projects that blend legacy with new application development using cutting edge tools.