EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
What is it?
Experiential Learning (EL) is learning-by-doing that bridges knowledge and experience through critical reflection. Using intentionally designed and assessed activities, EL enables students to increase understanding, challenge and advance perspectives, clarify values, develop and hone their skills, and promote new ways of thinking and doing.
Experiential Learning (EL) is learning-by-doing that bridges knowledge and experience through critical reflection. Using intentionally designed and assessed activities, EL enables students to increase understanding, challenge and advance perspectives, clarify values, develop and hone their skills, and promote new ways of thinking and doing.
Who is it for?
| Instructors at the University of Calgary - and other instructors interested in EL. |
What can it do?
High quality experiential learning experiences align with the PEAR framework:
The Experiential Learning Plan for the University of Calgary (2020-25) identifies five categories and 28 EL activities. These are types of EL when they contain all components of the PEAR:
Co-Curricular EL (CCEL)
Community-Engaged LEarning (CEL)
Curriculum-Integrated EL
Research-Based EL
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
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High quality experiential learning experiences align with the PEAR framework:
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Pedagogy
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Experience
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Assessment
- Reflection
The Experiential Learning Plan for the University of Calgary (2020-25) identifies five categories and 28 EL activities. These are types of EL when they contain all components of the PEAR:
Co-Curricular EL (CCEL)
- Competitions, accelerators, incubators, on-campus employment, professional development programs, supported volunteer experiences, among others
Community-Engaged LEarning (CEL)
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Community-based research, Knowledge-Keeper guided learning experiences, ceremonial-based learning experiences, co-curricular community engaged learning, among others
Curriculum-Integrated EL
- Case studies, creative performance, entrepreneurship courses, experimentation, field schools, cross-cultural learning experiences, role plays, among others
Research-Based EL
- Course-based, faculty-led or individual research projects, Research assistantships, among others
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
- Cooperative education, internships, professional clinical practice (including practica)
How do I access it?
https://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/teaching-learning/experiential-learning
Experiential Learning Plan for the University of Calgary (2020-25)
https://ucalgary.ca/provost/sites/default/files/EL%20Plan%202020-25.pdf
https://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/teaching-learning/experiential-learning
Experiential Learning Plan for the University of Calgary (2020-25)
https://ucalgary.ca/provost/sites/default/files/EL%20Plan%202020-25.pdf
Experiential Learning Resources for Teaching and Learning Continuity
Kaipainen, R., Braun, R. and Arseneault, R. (2020). Experiential learning plan for the University of Calgary (2020-25) [pdf]. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning/University of Calgary. Retrieved from https://ucalgary.ca/provost/sites/default/files/EL%20Plan%202020-25.pdf (accessed 29 March 2022).
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning (2022). Experiential learning resources for teaching and learning continuity. University of Calgary. Retrieved from https://taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca/experiential-learning-continuity (accessed 29 March 2022).
Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning (2022).
Experiential learning. University of Calgary. Retrieved from https://www.ucalgary.ca/provost/teaching-learning/experiential-learning (accessed 29 March 2022).