Experiential Learning
Why use it?
What is it?
Increased understanding, critical thinking, & engagmenet.
Learning through doing and reflecting
+ info
+ info
Examples/Applicability
Experiential learning can work for a variety of fields and modalities, including workforce programs, education/social sciences, communication, and health professions.
+ info
Potential Challenges
My Courses
Education courses provide opportunities for this strategy.
Scaffolding, assessment, and equity
+ info
+ info
Technologoy/Resources
Virtual Reality/ Tools for Simulation and Role Play
Digital Collaboration Tools
E-Portfolios
Observation Sites
For More Information
Digital Collaboration Tools
Social annotation tools like Perusall and Harmonize Miro Padlet Flip Interactive Polling Wikis Zoom Google/Microsoft Collaboration Tools
E-Portfolios
ePortfolios allow for digital collections of student work, reflections and learning artifacts to showcase growth, skills, and achievements over time. They’re a powerful tool in both experiential learning and broader teaching and assessment practices.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality or other digital simulation tools could help students practice classroom management, create virtual field trips, conduct mock parent-teacher conferences, or look at ways to incorporate this technology in their future classrooms.
Considerations
Scaffolding: Experiential Learning assumes some level of independence and prior knowledge. Less experienced students may need more support. Assessment difficulties: Measuring learning through experience can be subjective without clear rubrics or standards. Equity concerns: Not all students have equal access to off-site experiences, internships, or tools needed for certain experiential tasks.
Incorporating Experiential Learning in EDUC
Field Work: 16 hours of observation in real classrooms with anecdotal records Real World Assignments: field trip proposal, teacher's guide, lesson plans Collaborative Opportunities: discussion boards, social annotations, group projects Role-Play E-Portfolios
Why Experiential Learning?
Deeper Understanding and Retention Direct experience may lead to better comprehension and long-term retention compared to passive learning methods. When people do something, they’re more likely to understand it and remember it. Development of Critical Skills It fosters essential real-world skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, adaptability, and self-reflection. Increased Engagement and Motivation Hands-on learning is engaging and meaningful. When learners can connect theory to practice, they often feel more motivated, involved, and responsible for their own learning process.
Experiential Learning
Concrete Experience – Learners actively experience a task or situation. Reflective Observation – Learners think back on the experience and analyze it. Abstract Conceptualization – Learners form theories or models based on the experience. Active Experimentation – Learners apply what they’ve learned to new situations.
Examples
Business and Marketing: case studies, internships Communication: Podcasts, mock interviews Education and Social Sciences: field work, practicums, role-play, service learning Nursing and Allied Health: clinical simulations, patient scenarios STEM fields: lab experiments, simulations, coding projects Workforce Programs: Job shadowing, apprecticeships, skills clinics
Observation Sites
One of the most important resources we need in EDUC 1301/2301 are PK-12 observation sites for the state-required 16 hours of observation. Observation sites must be in public schools or public charter schools (accredited by TEA) with a certified teacher. The state does allow a portion of the hours to be completed digitally. Resources like The Teaching Channel allow us to maintain the observation standards and requirements while providing a digital option.
Why I Chose This Strategy
I chose this strategy for two reasons. The first is that I felt like this was probably something I was already doing but I did not have a specific name for it. The bigger reason is that I'm currently on a committee that is developing a master teacehr program and this is one of the strategies that we will include. Researching this not only helps me define my own practice, but allows me to now bring this information to that committee to apply it in a broader context.
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Reflection
What I've realized in my research of this strategy is how important and how applicable it is, especially for community college students. Our students aren’t just trying to pass a class, they are trying to start or change careers. What surprised me was how central reflection is to this strategy.While experiential learning focuses on doing, it is equally important to slow down and have students process what they learned, how they learned, and how they might do things differently next time.
For more information:
Edutopia - Getting Started with Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning Institute
Miami University Center for Teaching Excellence
Experiential Learning
Courtenay Jauregui
Created on October 16, 2025
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Transcript
Experiential Learning
Why use it?
What is it?
Increased understanding, critical thinking, & engagmenet.
Learning through doing and reflecting
+ info
+ info
Examples/Applicability
Experiential learning can work for a variety of fields and modalities, including workforce programs, education/social sciences, communication, and health professions.
+ info
Potential Challenges
My Courses
Education courses provide opportunities for this strategy.
Scaffolding, assessment, and equity
+ info
+ info
Technologoy/Resources
Virtual Reality/ Tools for Simulation and Role Play
Digital Collaboration Tools
E-Portfolios
Observation Sites
For More Information
Digital Collaboration Tools
Social annotation tools like Perusall and Harmonize Miro Padlet Flip Interactive Polling Wikis Zoom Google/Microsoft Collaboration Tools
E-Portfolios
ePortfolios allow for digital collections of student work, reflections and learning artifacts to showcase growth, skills, and achievements over time. They’re a powerful tool in both experiential learning and broader teaching and assessment practices.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality or other digital simulation tools could help students practice classroom management, create virtual field trips, conduct mock parent-teacher conferences, or look at ways to incorporate this technology in their future classrooms.
Considerations
Scaffolding: Experiential Learning assumes some level of independence and prior knowledge. Less experienced students may need more support. Assessment difficulties: Measuring learning through experience can be subjective without clear rubrics or standards. Equity concerns: Not all students have equal access to off-site experiences, internships, or tools needed for certain experiential tasks.
Incorporating Experiential Learning in EDUC
Field Work: 16 hours of observation in real classrooms with anecdotal records Real World Assignments: field trip proposal, teacher's guide, lesson plans Collaborative Opportunities: discussion boards, social annotations, group projects Role-Play E-Portfolios
Why Experiential Learning?
Deeper Understanding and Retention Direct experience may lead to better comprehension and long-term retention compared to passive learning methods. When people do something, they’re more likely to understand it and remember it. Development of Critical Skills It fosters essential real-world skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, adaptability, and self-reflection. Increased Engagement and Motivation Hands-on learning is engaging and meaningful. When learners can connect theory to practice, they often feel more motivated, involved, and responsible for their own learning process.
Experiential Learning
Concrete Experience – Learners actively experience a task or situation. Reflective Observation – Learners think back on the experience and analyze it. Abstract Conceptualization – Learners form theories or models based on the experience. Active Experimentation – Learners apply what they’ve learned to new situations.
Examples
Business and Marketing: case studies, internships Communication: Podcasts, mock interviews Education and Social Sciences: field work, practicums, role-play, service learning Nursing and Allied Health: clinical simulations, patient scenarios STEM fields: lab experiments, simulations, coding projects Workforce Programs: Job shadowing, apprecticeships, skills clinics
Observation Sites
One of the most important resources we need in EDUC 1301/2301 are PK-12 observation sites for the state-required 16 hours of observation. Observation sites must be in public schools or public charter schools (accredited by TEA) with a certified teacher. The state does allow a portion of the hours to be completed digitally. Resources like The Teaching Channel allow us to maintain the observation standards and requirements while providing a digital option.
Why I Chose This Strategy
I chose this strategy for two reasons. The first is that I felt like this was probably something I was already doing but I did not have a specific name for it. The bigger reason is that I'm currently on a committee that is developing a master teacehr program and this is one of the strategies that we will include. Researching this not only helps me define my own practice, but allows me to now bring this information to that committee to apply it in a broader context.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
Reflection
What I've realized in my research of this strategy is how important and how applicable it is, especially for community college students. Our students aren’t just trying to pass a class, they are trying to start or change careers. What surprised me was how central reflection is to this strategy.While experiential learning focuses on doing, it is equally important to slow down and have students process what they learned, how they learned, and how they might do things differently next time.
For more information:
Edutopia - Getting Started with Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning Institute
Miami University Center for Teaching Excellence