|
One of the most dynamic reforms within engineering education is
service learning, also known as experiential learning.
Service learning is a type of experiential education where students
participate in community service and reflect on their involvement to
gain further understanding of course content as well as their discipline
and its relationship to broader social issues. This participation, when
implemented correctly, aligns perfectly with the goals of the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Service learning is a powerful way for industry, governments, and
universities to develop partnerships to implement educational reforms in
a multidisciplinary setting. Microsoft Research has been the prime
national sponsor for the award-winning Engineering Projects in Community
Service (EPICS),
which is headquartered at Purdue University as well as participating in
various leadership roles for their Advisory Council.
Microsoft Research, together with the National Science Foundation,
National Instruments, and Hewlett Packard, supports NSF-funded
Department-Level Reform (NSF-DLR) to encourage service learning
curriculum. As part of this partnership, the following schools include
service learning as part of the curriculum:
- Columbia University
- University of Arizona
- University of California at Merced
- University of California at San Diego
- University of Missouri at Kansas City
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Colorado at Boulder
- University of Massachusetts at Lowell
- California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)
- University of California at Santa Clara
|
