How can you use experiential learning to make learning more engaging?

1 What is experiential learning?

Experiential learning is based on the idea that learning is a process of constructing knowledge from experience. It is not just about doing things, but also about thinking about what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. Experiential learning can take many forms, such as projects, simulations, games, field trips, internships, service learning, and more. The key is to design activities that are relevant, authentic, challenging, and collaborative, and that allow students to explore, experiment, and express themselves.

2 How to design experiential learning activities?

To design effective experiential learning activities, you need to consider four main elements: goals, methods, assessment, and feedback. Goals are the learning outcomes that you want your students to achieve, such as knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values. Methods are the ways that you will facilitate the learning experience, such as providing instructions, resources, guidance, and support. Assessment is the way that you will measure the learning outcomes, such as quizzes, portfolios, presentations, or reflections. Feedback is the way that you will provide information to your students about their performance, progress, and improvement, such as comments, grades, or suggestions.

3 How to facilitate experiential learning activities?

To facilitate experiential learning activities, you need to adopt a role of a coach, mentor, or facilitator, rather than a lecturer, instructor, or expert. Your role is to create a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment, where students can take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. You also need to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, by setting goals, making choices, solving problems, and seeking feedback. You also need to promote reflection, by asking questions, listening actively, and providing feedback that helps students connect their experience with their learning goals.

4 How to evaluate experiential learning activities?

To evaluate experiential learning activities, you need to use both formative and summative assessment methods. Formative assessment is the ongoing process of collecting and analyzing evidence of learning during the activity, such as observations, discussions, or self-assessments. Formative assessment helps you and your students monitor and adjust the learning process, and identify strengths and weaknesses. Summative assessment is the final process of measuring and reporting the learning outcomes at the end of the activity, such as tests, projects, or portfolios. Summative assessment helps you and your students evaluate and celebrate the learning achievements, and identify areas for further improvement.

5 What are the benefits of experiential learning?

Experiential learning has many benefits for both teachers and students. For teachers, experiential learning can help you create more engaging, diverse, and flexible learning opportunities, that cater to different learning styles, preferences, and needs. It can also help you develop more meaningful and authentic relationships with your students, and foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and innovation. For students, experiential learning can help them develop more motivation, confidence, and autonomy in their learning, and acquire more relevant, transferable, and applicable knowledge and skills. It can also help them develop more critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, and prepare them for real-world challenges and opportunities.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?