Service Learning in IS: Teaming with Community and Industry

Service learning is a valuable instructional methodology that is little used in information systems (IS) education. The purpose of service learning is to promote real-world relevance through the application of classroom knowledge to problems in the business community. Students develop leadership and teamwork skills while enhancing their civic engagement. Service learning is self perpetuating by increasing the service activity's impact on the business community; the service activity increases the impact of classroom lessons on the student. This paper presents the historical background of service learning in the United States, the benefits of service learning in promoting student learning and meeting the local business community’s needs, steps for organizing service learning activities in (IS) education, and an example of a successful service learning project in IS.