Service Learning
The Seidenberg School continues to attract students from across the University to its service learning courses. Students enrolled in one of multiple sections of CIS 102 or TS 105 Computers for Human Empowerment have the opportunity to teach problem-solving and programming using LEGOs, show seniors how to send e-mail and perform online searches, assist any number of organizations by developing Web sites to raise their visibility, or become empowered to share their newly acquired technology knowledge with various populations in the surrounding community. In addition, students may also enroll in TS 341 Networking Technologies or TS 351 Computer Hardware: Troubleshooting and Maintenance to satisfy their Civic Engagement and Public Values requirement.
In AY 2009-2010, there were 39 service sections offered with a total enrollment of 738 students. Courses offered included:
- Problem Solving using LEGO Robotics
- Intergenerational Computing
- Web Design for Non-profit Organizations
- Information Technology for Strategic Community Planning
- Computers for Human Empowerment
- Networking Technologies
- Computer Hardware: Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Faculty teaching one or more sections of a service learning this year include:
| Dennis Anderson | Cynthia Penchina |
| Sung-Hyuk Cha | Linda Pennachio |
| Jean Coppola | Anthony Pupello |
| Jonathan Hill | Andrea Taylor |
| Julia Khan-Nomee | Jennifer Thomas |
| Richard Kline | Sylvester Tuohy |
| James Lawler | Henry Wong |
| Pauline Mosley |
The school had the privilege of partnering with a number of public institutions and nonprofit organizations in both New York City and Westchester:
| AHRC | My Second Home Adult Day Care Center |
| ALOFT (Active Living Over Fifty Inc.) | New York City FIRST LEGO League |
| Cabrini Immigrant Offices | New York City FIRST Tech Challenge |
| Center for Digital Inclusion | New York Public Library |
| Cerebral Palsy of Westchester | Packer Collegiate Institute |
| City of New York Parks & Recreation | PS 8 Brooklyn |
| Club Access | PS 58 Brooklyn “Carroll School” |
| Concepts of Independent Choices | PS/MS 188 Manhattan “Island School” |
| Escola Pace | St. Charles Jubilee Senior Center |
| Family Ties | Students of Humanity |
| Forest Park Running Club | Tarrytown Senior Center |
| Hellgate Running Club | The Harrison Public Library |
| Hudson Valley FIRST Tech Challenge | TWIG |
| IANET – The Interactive Aging Network | United Hebrew Geriatric Center |
| Lambda Peer Support Services | Verizon Center |
| Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Westhab |
| Morningside House / Aging in America | Woodlands High School |
| Mt. Kisco Child Care Center | Woodlands Middle School |
Other Activities and Events
- Students enrolled in CIS 102Q Problem Solving using LEGO Robotics provided support to the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Tournament held in Pleasantville in February and to the off-season VeryHotShot! event on the New York City campus in May.
- Professor James Lawler was named the 2009-2010 recipient of the Pace University Bronze Medal Jefferson Award in recognition of his ongoing commitment to community service, specifically through his sustained involvement and that of the students he inspires with AHRC. AHRC is a nonprofit agency in lower Manhattan dedicated to serving individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
He also received a $15,000 grant from AHRC in support of a project involving the application of mobile computing technology to improve the organization’s information and management processes. - Professor Jean Coppola was quoted in “Granny Can Get her Internet Game On” in Investor’s Business Daily (August 30) about the benefits to seniors in learning how to send e-mail and navigate the Internet.
- Another article “Advancing the Internet age – Innovative program at United Hebrew pairs college students with elders eager to travel the World Wide Web” highlighting Professor Jean Coppola's Intergenerational Computing class appeared in the NYAHSA Advisor (March/April 2010) published by the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
