Foundations of Experiential Education and Practice

1. Foundations of Experiential Education and Practice Laurie Frank GOAL Consulting 24 July 2011

2. Agenda • Introduction- Ground Rules- Introductory Activities • Why Experiential?- Frameworks- Research • What?: Experiential Learning- Your learning experience- Experimentation, Exploration, Example, Empathy

3. Agenda • What? : Experiential Education- The EE Umbrella- Experiential Learning Model • How…?- Safe Environment/Risk Taking- Learner vs. Teacher Centered- Pedagogy and Andragogy • Now What?- Connecting to your experience and situation

4. “Education – true education is not a process of pouring in from without, but of calling forth what is within. It’s not a process of memorization or socialization or instillation, it’s a process of nurturing, of allowing, of evoking. It’s a process of bringing forth the person one is meant to be.” ~ Jeff White

5. Ground Rules • Assume Good Intentions • Ouch/Oops • Make the experience work • Right to Pass • Others?

6. Why Experiential?

9. HELPS MEET BASIC NEEDS Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Retrieved from: http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/articles/maslow.gif

10. FREES THE BRAIN FOR LEARNING Brain-Compatible Elements For Learning • Absence of threat • Meaningful content • Choices • Adequate time • Enriched environment • Collaboration • Immediate feedback • Mastery (application) From ITI: The Model, Integrated Thematic Instruction, by Susan Kovalik, 1994 Caine and Caine refer to “relaxed alertness” as when the brain is at its best for learning.

11. Supports Social and Emotional Learning See www.CASEL.org

12. What is EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION?

13. Experimented • Explored • Learned from someone else’s example • Put yourself in the place of someone or something (empathy) • It was a process • Safe place to take risks • It was challenging or a “stretch” • Reflected or thought about what you were learning • Related to your life experiences and/or interests • You were ready to learn it • Knew it was Important to learn

14. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING… • Happens all the time • Is a natural way to learn • Experimentation • Exploration • Example • Empathy

15. Commonalities • Process-based • Safe environment that supports risk taking • Student/learner centered • Experiential Learning Model

16. EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION • Harnesses the natural power of EL • Is a formal way to support learning • Shared philosophy, different methodologies

17. Pedagogy: the art and science of educating children Teachers direct learning: What, how, and when Andragogy: the art and science of helping adults learn. Also refers to learner-focused education for people of all ages. Teachers facilitate learning: 5 Issues

18. Experiential Education Expeditionary Learning Wilderness Education Experience Based Training and Development Simulations Inquiry Adventure Based Counseling Internships Environmental Education Service Learning Art, Play, Music, Drama Therapies Adventure/Challenge Education And more…

19. Now What? What? So What?

20. HOW?

21. "Of all the things that count, nothing is as important as the people in the process. Teaching machines, microcomputers, programmed materials, distance learning, communication highways, and other technological advances may play an important role in education, but they cannot substitute for human relationships. Teaching is a way of being with people. This 'being-with' process has a great impact on students' ideas about themselves and their abilities." Purkey and Novak, Inviting School Success

22. A Safe Place to Learn

26. LSFrank@mac.com • www.goalconsulting.org