Students Develop Web Sites as Part of Coursework

Seniors majoring in computer information systems showcased their service learning projects which they worked on in the fall 2006 semester as part of the requirements for the capstone course CIS 415 Systems Development Project.  (View podcast.) Working in teams, the students created Web sites for several Michigan towns as well as for not for profit organizations.  The students conducted these projects as paraprofessionals and in their presentations also reflected on what they learned (technical and otherwise) while working on these projects.  Professor Sandra Poindexter, the instructor for the course, said, “Service learning gives students an opportunity to apply their academic course work to real-world situations.  They are more motivated to learn when they have a defined project and can see the outcome of their efforts, and the townships benefit from having students assist with developing high-quality sites and training employees to maintain the sites.  The students really rose to the challenge.”

The students developed Web sites for the Michigan townships of Aracadia, Higgins, Milford, South Branch, Klacking, Crystal Lake, and Crockery.  The other organizations included the Northern Center for Lifelong Learning, Marquette Women’s Center, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Northern Michigan University’s Academic Senate Office and the Speech, Language, and Hearing Science.

The CIS 415 course emphasizes the development of a computer application by student project teams assigned to area organizations.  Students learn project management skills through job assignments and weekly status meetings with the instructor.