Updates on Experiential Learning Projects at
Four Davenport Campuses—February, 2010
By: Dr. Wayne Sneath
Program Director—Experiential Learning
Definition of Experiential
Learning at DU
“Experiential learning is personal experience outside of the
classroom that adds value to the individual’s educational
objectives and development through practical application of
program and course outcomes and written reflection”
The added value includes:
•
Cultural immersion
•
Civic and community engagement, including
leadership
•
Continuous professional learning
Purpose of Experiential Learning
at DU
“In alignment with Davenport University’s Mission, Vision,
and Excellence System, Davenport University recognizes the
importance of integrating experiential learning outside of
the classroom. Experiential learning partners with the
degree to provide students with broader perspectives in the
areas of :
1) Globalization
2) Civic and community engagement
3) Professional & lifelong learning, including leadership
The end result is a student who is prepared to succeed in—
and contribute to—today’s complex real world.”
A growing number of Experiential Learning projects have been
happening across the DU system. Many have been facilitated with
the help of DU’s Experiential Learning Faculty Liaisons.
EL Faculty Liaisons assist Dr. Wayne Sneath, the Program
Director for Experiential Learning, to help facilitate information
about and the development of a number of different types of
Experiential Learning including:
•Academic service-learning
•Internships and practicums
•Study Abroad
•Assignment-based experiential projects
Continue on to see
highlights of Experiential Learning Projects
on several DU campuses.
DU
Experiential
Learning
Dr. Terri Tomaszek
Lettinga Campus
Tammy Stachowicz
Holland Campus
Faculty
Liaisons
2009-10
Linda Haberaecker
Livonia Campus
Dr. Deanne Cranford-Wesley
Warren Campus
Experiential Learning Project Highlights
at the Lettinga Campus
BUSN 495 and MKTG 441 students are
producing strategic business and
marketing plans with DeWys
Manufacturing, Zocolo Tax Systems,
and the Kent District Libraries
Students in the FRSM 100 Business
Living Learning Community course
planned a Wares Fair Event for clients of
Hope Network’s Microenterprise
Program
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Project s at the Lettinga Campus
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HEROES Mentoring Program in the Caledonia Schools
Field Trip: Bich Minh Nguyen presentation at GVSU
Field Trip: Vandana Shiva presentation, West Michigan
Women’s Studies Council
Nursing program: Observational Experiences in ICU
Hope Network DU Cares Projects in ENG 311
ENG311 Service Learning Projects with: Wedgwood
Christian Services, Lowell Historical Museum, Renal
Food Bank, Hope Network – Supported Employment,
Hope Micro Enterprise, Hope – Placement Department
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in the
Maine School of Business
Online MKTG 441 project with the American Association
of University Women
Study Abroad, Spring/Summer 2010: Ningbo, China;
Germany/Austria/France/Czech Republic; Kenya; Costa
Rica; London/Paris/Barcelona
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Project s at the Lettinga Campus
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Experiential Learning Newsletter production in ENGL 311
Alternative Spring Break
Michigan Service Scholars AmeriCorps program
Athena Connections (West Michigan Universities,
Networking opportunity for College Women)
MLK Day Silent March and Day of Service at YMCA
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Days of Service
Resourceful Women’s Conference: Paper Presentations by
DU Students
Field Trip: Judy Chicago, Multi-Media Presentation, Grand
Rapids
Judy Chicago Display for Tunnel of Oppression. Tri-fold
brochure describing Judy Chicago’s Art
Young Women, Strong Leaders Conference
Women’s History Month: Panel of Professional Women
ACCESS Poverty Simulations: Fall and Winter Semesters
SHRM students:
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Gordon Manufacturing HR Handbook project
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Collecting and Donating Goods and Services to
Women’s Resource Center.
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Proposal to Offer Resume Writing and Interviewing
Skills training to WRC Clients
Experiential Learning Project Highlights
at the Holland Campus
Math 125 students designed a
cribbage game to play with
residents of a local assisted living
center
SOSC 201 students attended
field trips to Detroit area
religious and cultural centers
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Project s at the Holland Campus
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Business Field Trip--“Pitch Night”
Off-campus Presentation on Middle East
Scavenger Hunt: Collection of Food and
Christmas Gifts for Holland Rescue Mission
DU Cares: Maintenance on a City Trail, Dune, and
Park
Field Trip: Art Museum
MATH 125: Off-Site Individual Work Measuring
Angles and Heights of Buildings
Re-Organized Instructional Community Site on
Blackboard
Experiential Learning Project Highlights
at the Warren Campus
Technology Club students conducted
a PC repair clinic for the Warren
community
BPA students collected food for
the Gleaners Food Bank
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Project s at the Warren Campus
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TECH 497: Developed EL project with ISM Surety Bonds
in Detroit, including updating the client’s website and
server
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Tech/Business organization is planning a Technology
Clinic for Senior Citizens. The purpose is to train seniors
to use e-mail, send/receive pictures, and become familiar
with a PC.
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Faculty assisted in developing a needs assessment and
project planning day for Warren-area non-profits
Experiential Learning Project Highlights
at the Livonia Campus
TECH 497 students designed the
Novi Chamber of Commerce
Members Directory
Students from the “70 Nichols”
student service organization
created and maintain its website
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Projects at the Livonia Campus
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Westminster Child Development Center website developed
Draft of website for DU Experiential Learning Program
completed
Developing website for Southeastern Michigan Service
Learning Collaborative
Website developed for Precision Machine & Manufacturing
Nursing Home Photo Album and Poster developed
HINT 295: Detroit Receiving Hospital—conducted study to use
administration and clinical databases to monitor and improve
quality of healthcare
HINT 295: Researched why ICD-9-CM is being phased out and
ICD-10-CM will be implemented and delivered presentation
HINT 295: Researched Electronic Health Records and how
they are implemented
HINT 295: Developed educational tool to provide training
regarding HIPAA guidelines
HSAD 495: Conducting nutrition research and benchmarking
pertaining to patients with Dementia
ENGL 311 developed a newsletter for Livonia campus
CISP 314 developed a website for the Livonia Lions Club
Some of the Other Experiential Learning
Projects at the Livonia Campus
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TECH 497: Project to analyze and make suggestions for
improving user experience for student side of the Portal
CISP 111: Automate parts of course assignment process for
Online Coordinators; Provide ability to view credentialed
instructors and select criteria for preferences
CISP 111: Developed changes necessary to allow view of
Banner information to students in an improved way
CISP111: For Student Life—enhanced website application to
allow advertising (Menus and Specials) and Accounting
services for student meal services
CISP 111: Automated portions of Graduate Application Audit
process
Revamping Library of Kigali website
Revamping NuVision School website
Gathering of Social Media Information for Livonia Optimist
Club
BPA website developed
IAAS 245: Students attended tour of a working disaster
recovery site
Benefits of Experiential Learning
for Students
•
Students are required to take initiative to be active
learners and to be responsible and accountable
•
To become active learners , students have to engage
in higher-order thinking tasks such as analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation
•
Experiential techniques involve the cognitive,
affective, and physical domains of learning,
allowing success through a variety of learning
styles
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Students are encouraged to work with others in a
community, thus learning interpersonal and
relational skills
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The learning environment generally resembles the
“real” world learning environment into which
students will graduate
For more information about Experiential
Learning at DU, contact:
Dr. Wayne Sneath
Program Director—Experiential Learning
Davenport University—Lettinga Campus
Wayne.Sneath@davenport.edu
616-871-3968