Experiential Learning in a Specific Application: The Applications Area Component at the University of Michigan
Back to Practical Engagement NEXT presentation PREVIOUS presentation ALISE home	Amy Warner University of Michigan Warner described her experiences in developing classroom and experiential learning components for School of Information (SI) students, in which they applied their knowledge and expertise about information system organization and development to specific applications domains. Warner's presentation was in two parts: The philosophy behind developing additional coursework and projects that allow students to apply principles and methods learned in the core and electives at SI to specific real-world contexts. The first experience with this approach in the specific applications domain of medical informatics--an area to which SI students can make meaningful contributions. The general framework of the new curriculum being implemented at the School of Information (SI) consists of core courses taken by all incoming students and then by students electing one of the new specializations, followed by a rich set of electives which further ground students in the theory, principles and practices of these specializations. In addition, the School of Information plans to create a further set of experiences in which students can then apply the knowledge gained in the core and specializations to specific real-world domains--this is the notion of the applications area. Warner described the motivation behind and methods used to arrive at this separation in the curriculum of theory, principles, concepts, and practices of a given specialization from their actual application in real-world situations. She then explained the basic issues the school faced in making this division explicit: The impact on a curriculum which has traditionally woven theory, practice and context together. The needs within the applications domain for specific expertise among the students electing the coursework The greater emphasis on teamwork and group projects necessary within this curriculum component in order to make the genuine application of theory and practice explicit. Warner went on to share her experiences in piloting an experiential learning component with two SI students, who participated in developing a digital information space for biomedical researchers at the University of Michigan. This pilot project involved creating a specific system for organizing and browsing images of the inner ear. Lessons learned in this effort provided the basis for a course, offered Fall 1996, in which the general methods and framework from the pilot inner ear project were applied to similar systems for other anatomical areas. Warner emphasized that the practical nature of such projects requires students to apply their knowledge of technology, database design, and subject access. The juried paper Warner presented at the ALISE '97 conference was co-authored by Jean Chung, Daniel Chudnov, and Jason P. Williams, all of the School of Information, as well as Brian D. Athey of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Michigan Medical Center. ....................................................................... Amy J. Warner, Associate Professor School of Information University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109-1092 Phone: 313-764-2476 E-mail: awarner@umich.edu Top of page || Next presentation || Previous presentation
	This page last updated 4/29/97. Please send any questions or comments to ALISE