14. Lessons Learned
from Service-Learning Projects in an AIS Capstone Course
Presenters: Zafar U. Khan, Eastern Michigan University
Michelle M. Haroon, KPMG, LLP
Ru Knoedler
Description: Service learning
in academia has proved itself invaluable to students, organizations, and the
community. While service leaning is commonplace in certain academic
disciplines, its use in business is limited. Other than the well-known VITA,
use of service learning in accounting curricula is rare. It has been suggested
that service learning with emphasis on the good that accountants can do for
society may be helpful in recruiting students who are interested in a rewarding
and respected career. This presentation will highlight the use of service
learning in an accounting information system capstone course of the last
several years. Lessons learned from many projects, ranging from small nonprofit
organizations to a major state university, will be presented. The presentation
will provide information about benefits to students, universities, and
organizations. Program details, organization, administration, and
implementation issues will be presented. Answers to questions such as: what
makes service learning such a great experience for students? Why should
accounting educators care about service learning in accounting courses? Others
also will be presented. Details from selected service-learning projects will be
shared. Participants interested in implementing service learning should benefit
immensely from this presentation.
