Experience in the Real World

Experiential Learning Theory:
“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”

— Kolb, 1984

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential Learning focuses on the individual’s experience, and is a way to connect academics to the “real world” by actively participating in the world, not just reading about it.

Forms of Experiential Learning

  • Apprenticeships and Internships: The emphasis is on gaining real world experience through an employer to explore or gain relevant knowledge and the skills required to enter a particular career field.
  • Cooperative Education: The goal is to integrate classroom-based education with structured, practical field experience relating to the student’s occupational goals through opportunities such as “co-op” and “clinical.”
  • Field Study: For field study, service is part of a program that is designed primarily to enhance students’ understanding of a field of study, while also providing emphasis on the service being provided to the field of study.
  • Course-Embedded Projects: Integrated projects to improve the students’ understanding of course material that involve community organizations or externally-based activities included in the syllabi.
  • Service Learning: Service learning provides an integration of community service and academic study in which students serve the community while the community serves as an opportunity for learning.