Introduction to Experiential Education February 3, 2014

UWC-Costa Rica

We shall not cease from explorationAnd the end of all our exploringWill be to arrive where we startedAnd know the place for the first time

-T.S. Eliot

Introduction Experiential Learning Experiential Education The Experiential Cycle The Experiential Cycle in Action Applications, Questions, Wonderings,

Challenges Closing

a. Experimented

b. Explored

c. Learned from someone else’s example

d. Put yourself in the place of someone or something (empathy/perspective taking)

e. It was a process

f. Safe place to take risks

g. It was challenging or a “stretch”

h. Reflected on, or thought about, what you were learning

i. Related to your life experiences and/or interests

j. You were ready to learn it

k. Knew it was Important to learn

• Happens all the time• Is a natural way to learn

• Experimentation• Exploration• Example• Empathy

• Happens all the time• Is a natural way to learn

• Experimentation• Exploration• Example• Empathy

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING…

•Where do you see experiential learning and experiential education occurring at UWC-Costa Rica? • How does experiential learning already connect to what you do?

“It was so much fun! I got shot in the leg and died of massive blood loss!"

- Participant, Age 10, in simulation of U.S. Civil War battle

Karen Park Koenig, www.rethinkingschools.org, vol. 23 (2009)

Just because we do something does not mean that it is educative. Without intentionality it could just as easily be miseducative.

“…experiences may be so disconnected from one another that, while each is agreeable or even exciting in itself, they are not linked cumulatively to one another. Energy is then dissipated and a person becomes scatterbrained. Each experience may be lively, vivid, and "interesting," and yet their disconnectedness may artificially generate dispersive, disintegrated, centrifugal habits….”

~ John Dewey, Experience and Education (1938)

Experiential learning and experiential education are buzzwords within many educational circles. These terms are often used interchangeably. There are numerous published definitions of experiential education (Joplin, 1981; Luckman, 1996; Itin, 1999). The Association for Experiential Education (2004) defines experiential education a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. Central to this definition is the distinction between experiential education as methodology and experiential education as philosophy. This distinction suggests that there is a difference between experiential learning and experiential education. 

Experiential Education

… a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values.

Association for Experiential Education (2013)www.aee.org

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONA Philosophy…

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATIONA Philosophy…

• “Intentional, purposeful approach to teaching and learning”

• Harnesses the natural power of Experiential Learning

• Is a formal way to support learning

• Intended aim, outcomes, objectives to focus the experiential process

• Is learner centered

• Uses experiential methodologies, of which there are many…

Wilderness Education

Adventure Based Counseling

Inquiry

Service LearningArt, Play, Music, Drama & related Therapies

SimulationsExperience Based Training and

Development

Environmental Education

Internships

Expeditionary Learning

Adventure/Challenge Education

Philosophy of Experiential Education

And more…Equine Assisted Therapy

Cooperative Education Project Based Learning

Problem Based LearningAdventure Education

Commonalities

• Process-based

• Safe environment that supports risk taking

• Student/learner centered

• Experiential Learning Model (cycle)…

Inquiry Cycle

FRONTLOADING

FRONTLOADING

ASKING QUESTIONS

ASKING QUESTIONS

GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE

MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE

PRESENTATION &

FEEDBACK

PRESENTATION &

FEEDBACK

Activating Prior knowledgeActivating Prior knowledgeProviding background InformationProviding background Information

FRONTLOADING

FRONTLOADING

ASKING QUESTIONS

ASKING QUESTIONS

GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE

MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE

PRESENTATION &

FEEDBACK

PRESENTATION &

FEEDBACK

Collegiality

Concert, joint action, co-acting, sharing, commonality, united, concurrence, interdependent,

joining of hands, common effort, common enterprise or endeavor

Collegiality

The Cooperative interaction among colleagues

Concur,

harmonize,

go into partnership with, get together and team up and buddy up,

pull together,

hold together,

hang together,

keep together,

stand shoulder-to-shoulder

Collaboration

To work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor

Collaboration

Alphabet Team

Exercise

Alphabet Team

Exercise

How did we get there?

How did we get there?

Information: Synonyms, DefinitionsCollegiality/Collaboration

Principles of Collaborative Leadership

Information: Synonyms, DefinitionsCollegiality/Collaboration

Principles of Collaborative Leadership

• How do we do this in our situation?

• Self Assessment

• How do we do this in our situation?

• Self Assessment

TEAMWORKCollaboration

Why Experiential?How does it fit with UWC-Costa Rica

• What questions do you have about EL and EE in    general?

• What are the benefits of EL and EE at UWC Costa Rica?

• What are the Challenges?

• Other thoughts?

How do the competencies fit with Experiential Learning/Experiential Education?

How does EL/EE fit in with the competencies?

Social Responsibility Diversity

Sustainability Leadership

Conflict Transformation Healthy Living

In the Learning

ZoneEL @ UWCCR

In the Learning

ZoneEL @ UWCCR

Vision ShapesVision Shapes

Differentiating between EL and EEDefinition of EE

Commonalities between Methodologies – ELCELC in Action – Collaborative Leadership

Differentiating between EL and EEDefinition of EE

Commonalities between Methodologies – ELCELC in Action – Collaborative Leadership

Connecting to your situation – Small groupsCompetency Connection

Connecting to your situation – Small groupsCompetency Connection

Natural LearningEL & EE