Today, students have access to many different types of learning in higher education. As technology develops and career requirements change, many students benefit from the opportunity to engage in physical, hands-on learning. Higher education institutions continue looking for ways to amplify their high-impact practices, and experiential learning is on the rise.
As the name suggests, experiential learning theory is an educational framework that describes how people learn through hands-on experience. People can use the knowledge to process all forms of learning, supporting performance improvement, learning, and development.
This theory, developed by David A. Kolb, describes the ideal process of learning in a four-step cycle:
Experiential learning rests on the premise that students must immerse themselves in the experience to learn something. Through hands-on activities, students find new depth in their understanding while sharpening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Instead of receiving information passively, students must engage, reflect, and derive meaning from their learning experiences, which often leads to better information retention.
When most people think of experiential learning, they think of field trips and games, but the process translates well in higher education. You can incorporate a range of experiential learning opportunities for students, including:
Internships are among the most common experiential learning activities in higher education. Students can experience their prospective careers firsthand and pursue their fields of interest outside of theoretical courses. You can arrange for your students to work with practicing professionals, complete projects, attend public events, and deal with real-world challenges.
You can also attach these internships to classroom courses. Engaging with industry professionals supports co-curricular activities and allows students to accumulate practical experience. Students must reflect and apply their learning to complete the experiential learning cycle.
Research projects for undergraduate students are increasingly common across all disciplines. They allow students to connect key concepts and questions with experiential involvement in investigation and research. Integrating this experiential learning opportunity into your curriculum will enable students to answer relevant questions, observe, interact with technology, and feel a sense of belonging.
Any course that involves a community service element is an example of community-based learning. These service learning courses can be direct, indirect, or research-based, and each allows students to experience real-world problems. They’ll also meet with advisors to discuss their experiences and progress, completing the experiential learning cycle. Community initiatives can include teaching children in underserved communities and restoring historic buildings.
Communication and collaboration are among the most essential skills students can master when preparing for the workforce. Group projects allow students to work in and out of class, engage in open-ended discussions, and complete tasks through collaboration. These projects are also an excellent opportunity to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
Simulations and role-playing activities help students prepare for the workplace. You can provide experiential learning opportunities that are easily scalable, reusable, and uniquely suited to a specific discipline or course. These simulations also offer a straightforward approach to assessing students.
As a higher education institution, you can offer your students many opportunities for experiential learning, including those that complement their classes and coursework. Some of the advantages of experiential learning in higher education include:
Students who participate in experiential learning opportunities better understand the related course material. Instead of working solely with theories, they can do something with information. Experiential activities teach students to gather data, analyze it, and apply their knowledge to specific situations. Realistic learning environments equip them to succeed in the workforce while having faculty input and improvement opportunities.
Experiential learning requires students to get their hands dirty. They see firsthand how abstract concepts apply to the world, engage their senses, and build a stronger connection with the material. They also reflect on their actions and outcomes, which gives them a deeper understanding of their learning styles.
Through experiential learning, students broaden their experience of the world and experience different cultures and viewpoints. Over time, hands-on, collaborative activities increase their cultural competence and empathy, giving them an appreciation for their environment and peers. When they work with their communities, they often gain a greater appreciation of the intricacies that comprise a group of people.
When students have the opportunity to learn through real-world experiences, they often get a better idea of their passions. A program that allows them to shadow a doctor might inspire them to pursue it as a career. They’ll also learn what environment they thrive in, from nonprofit to corporate. Experiential learning activities allow them to discover new interests and develop their strengths. They push each student out of their comfort zone, increasing engagement and enhancing student learning outcomes.
A hands-on learning experience requires students to take initiative, make decisions, and be accountable for the results. Students experience success, failure, and uncertainty, just as they would in the real world. By taking risks, students learn more about themselves and their capabilities, which is essential for meaningful careers.
Opportunities to collaborate with diverse people and organizations are essential to the student experience. Students participating in experiential learning programs are expected to collaborate to find solutions. They must also communicate well, make decisions, and take leadership responsibilities.
Experiential learning opportunities often simulate professional environments, so it’s natural that students would gain professional skills. Real-life experiences allow them to develop skills essential for their profession and create defined paths that enable them to pursue their career goals. These experiences promote reflection and adaptation so students can analyze their experiences and adapt their approaches to future situations.
Students gain a more nuanced understanding of the workplace and learn to navigate complex problems while developing professional skills.
Community-based learning is a type of experiential learning that combines community service with academics. This type of experiential learning has significant benefits for students, including personal growth and increased engagement with their local communities. In addition, students build new relationships with each other.
Service learning in courses allows students to connect more authentically with their peers and communities, which gives them a greater sense of self. These students often work one-on-one with a mentor or advisor who helps them reflect on and get the most out of their experiences.
With experiential learning, students do more than listen to lectures or read textbooks. They’re actively participating in their education. They engage with the course material and make mistakes in a safe space, which builds confidence over time as they take ownership of their learning.
The nature of experiential learning also means students must collaborate and explore new topics in various environments. The more exposure they get, the more confident they grow. They feel comfortable and knowledgeable about various topics and scenarios when they enter the job market.
Many experiential learning opportunities involve shadowing or working with industry professionals. Students who participate could make lasting connections, leading to internships and employment. As they progress through different disciplines, they can also grow their peer and faculty networks, making valuable connections to launch or advance their careers.
Experiential learning improves critical thinking skills and aids in problem-solving by presenting students with authentic challenges and opportunities for inquiry. Hands-on activities, experimentation, and reflection allow students to analyze problems. They learn to generate unique solutions and adapt to changing circumstances.
Students tackle complex, open-ended tasks that require them to analyze, think critically, and solve problems. You can design these tasks to simulate real-world challenges that require your students to apply their theoretical knowledge creatively and effectively. When students reflect on their experiences, they develop metacognitive skills — they think about their own thought processes. This process helps them evaluate their problem-solving strategies.
Experiential learning allows students to engage their minds and seek unique solutions to challenges. Real-world content reaffirms that there are multiple solutions to challenges and encourages students to explore alternative ways of approaching them. Removing students from confined learning spaces can transform their attitudes, building confidence in their creative processes.
Mistakes made in real-world scenarios can have lasting consequences. In contrast, mistakes made in experiential learning can inspire a growth mindset. It’s about making mistakes, reflecting on them, and trying new things. Students benefit from making mistakes in a safe space, identifying where they made errors, and finding new solutions.
Today’s students want to know how their course material relates to their future careers. Experiential learning connects classroom learning with real-life work skills, increasing engagement. Students see firsthand how they will apply their theoretical knowledge in the workplace. When they make these connections, they are more motivated to complete their studies, which boosts retention at your institution.
One of the most significant experiential learning advantages for students is personalized education experiences. When you present each student with the same problem, they develop unique solutions that reveal their strengths and growth areas. During their learning, students use multiple senses. They are actively engaged and more likely to remember what they’ve learned because they experienced it firsthand.
Real-world experience also enhances each student’s attitude to learning. Students are more invested in their education when you focus on creating experiences and imparting information. They are more responsive and develop positive attitudes to learning as they see their skills and knowledge expand.
Combining theory and practice in learning helps students develop the soft skills they need for meaningful careers. These skills are developed through experiences rather than traditional classroom education. Some of the soft skills students develop through experiential learning include:
Unlike traditional learning environments, where students often wait for feedback, experiential learning allows students to apply what they learn immediately. They can iterate solutions and use feedback, which ultimately helps them retain information. For example, an engineering student building a bridge can try different options, and from each failure, they learn what actions to avoid instead of just what to do right.
Experiential learning significantly enhances student engagement and motivation by making education more interactive and relevant. Connecting learning to real-world context allows students to see their studies’ practical applications, increasing their intrinsic motivation. Experiential learning often involves a diverse range of activities, so they offer students variety, which keeps them curious and attentive.
Experiential learning is an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their education and sharpen in-demand skills. However, some may find the process challenging. You can support and engage students through the process with the following tips:
Experiential learning is essential to creating a holistic and meaningful educational experience for your students. However, it’s even more significant when you can quantify its impact and continuously improve your course offerings. With Watermark’s Educational Impact Suite, you can centralize your data and drive student success.
Our software solutions integrate seamlessly with your learning management system (LMS). Use Watermark Student Success & Engagement to manage milestones, create guided pathways, and support students from anywhere on their journeys to course completion. Request a demo of our solutions and support each student’s unique learning needs today!
