Computers for Humanity: A Service Learning Approach to Computer Education

The project and resulting paper explores a creative solution to knowledge creation by replac-ing the “teachers teaching ” model of instruction with one that utilizes the “learners learning” model. Rather than having a skilled instructor teach the nuances of computer hardware and software to undergraduate students via lecture, this solution of knowledge creation embraces concepts of transformative learning as the instructor serves as a resource for student learning. A service learning component is also present as students, through public/private collaboration, address the digital divide present in their community with acts of civic responsibility and strengthening of the community.The overall effectiveness of the Computers for Humanity Project will be evaluated by a self evaluation assessment survey on computer hardware, soft-ware, networking, security and service learning, which was initially administered in September 2009 and will be repeated in December 2009. The self evaluation questions will be answered at the beginning of the semester long course (pre-test) and at the end of the semester (post-test). They will be repeated the following semester starting January 2010, in which traditional computer instruction will be utilized. This will provide for a comparison to determine the over-all effectiveness of the project