ASL Workshop, Seminars Scheduled

NMU faculty members are invited to a breakfast workshop on Academic Service Learning with nationally recognized ASL expert Dale Rice from Eastern Michigan University. It is scheduled from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Brule Room of the University Center.

Bob Kulisheck (Political Science) recently completed a campus-wide survey to find examples of ASL that are taking place and to identify untapped opportunities. He was assisted by NMU graduate assistant John Mallo. Kulisheck describes ASL as a step beyond experiential education typically obtained through internships and practicums.

“Academic Service Learning incorporates academic reflection,” he said. “In other words, students have opportunities for hands-on learning to augment the traditional classroom material. They also explore how their real-world observations integrate with the academic theories they have studied in class. The community service involved with ASL supports the notion and practice of becoming a good citizen.

“I think Northern has an opportunity to distinguish itself in this area because this type of learning is popular with students. After the laptop program, NMU needs to separate itself from other universities. I think this has a lot of potential as a way to market Northern to prospective students.”

Kulisheck has also revised his public policy analysis course. It now includes a major ASL component. Students enrolled in this course are working with the City of Marquette , the Medical Care Access Coalition, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Upper Peninsula office.

Kulisheck said the political science department is considering awarding ASL certificates that students can include in their portfolios as they search for professional employment. He also reported his campus survey revealed that service components are included in about 80 different courses. He said it is hoped that these courses can eventually be included in an overall ASL program.

For those faculty interested in ASL programs that have already been developed by NMU faculty, Delinda Lybrand (Education) and Julie Rochester (HPER) will present their recent ASL projects at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. , respectively, following Rice’s presentation at the Feb. 11 breakfast workshop.

In addition, two ASL faculty seminars presented by Lybrand and Sandra Poindexter (Business) will be held later in the semester. Information and registration opportunities will be available at the breakfast workshop and e-mailed to faculty.

Lybrand is working with her methods students on their fifth ASL project. She has received ASL grants and her students have presented ASL projects at conferences throughout the United States . Lybrand will present an ASL faculty seminar from 9-11 a.m. in LRC room 111i on the following Fridays: Feb. 20; March 12; and April 2 and 16.

Poindexter (Business) is an advocate of holistic learning – a view that suggests using a variety of tools and techniques such as technology, active learning, service learning, and peer learning in combinations that best serve the course needs. She has researched and shared these theories and their adoption trends with her peers. She will lead a seminar from 9-11 a.m. in LRC room 111i on the following Thursdays: March 18 and 25; and April 1 and 8.

For more information, or to register, please contact graduate assistant John Mallo at 1089 or jmallo@nmu.edu .