What do we mean when we say "Experiential Education" or "Service Learning"?
Experiential learning denotes any educational activity that directly engages the learner in the topic of study through hands-on activity, often outside the traditional classroom setting. Some examples include:
Program Driven Experiences
UCC is doing a great deal already in this regard. In fact, we have already identified more than 30 programs and more than 50 courses that utilize experiential learning as an integral part of program curriculum, through required field experiences, internships, or coops.
Course Driven Experiences
UCC can and should offer much more than what is currently available to our students in this regard, as we are lagging behind high school, community college, and four-year institution trends and expectations. Experiences can be offered to students to better meet course objectives and to enhance learning in individual classes.
a) Individual course goals and content impact experiential activities that may be afforded to students. They vary greatly, both within and among courses. Some examples include:
Ø a student in a Sociology or Philosophy class may attend services at multiple houses of worship as part of learning about the foundations of various faiths in order to promote an understanding and tolerance of cultural similarities and differences
Ø a student in an English, Drama, or Music class may attend a play or concert in learning about the structure and implementation of the written format, stage direction, sound effects, etc
Ø a student in a Government class may participate in a town meeting to learn about the political process
Ø a student in a Science class may conduct a lab experiment, visit a local pharmaceutical company, utilize the observatory, or visit an area science museum
b) Service learning is a particular type of experiential activity. It is a method through which students learn and apply newly acquired skills in an organized volunteer activity, reflecting and connecting classroom instruction to real-life situations while meeting community needs. Some examples include:
Ø a student in an Education class may tutor at area schools
Ø a student in a Science class may participate in an environmental activity or a medical-related activity, such as a river clean-up, a health awareness drive, or volunteer work in a medical facility
Ø a student in a Math class may develop a survey for a non-profit agency and/or tabulate data collected
Ø a student in an English class may participate in a host of volunteer activities as a source for a writing assignment, or assist in a reading or literacy program
Ø a student in a Modern Language class may translate at a local shelter or other community setting
...and so on. By seeking out an appropriate volunteer experience, any faculty member can tie SL into almost any course content.
Stand Alone Activities
With appropriate mentorship, experiential activities, including service learning, may be offered as stand alone courses in order to provide learning opportunities for specific, individual academic pursuits.
The Alliance for Service-Learning in Education Reform defines service learning as... (click for an alternate, more detailed explanation)
Here's another good explanation (PDF - 2 pages) from "The Toolbox", a teaching and learning resource for faculty at IWU.