Out-of-Class Experiences: What Are They? Do Students Want Them?

1. Out-of-Class Experiences: What Are They? Do Students Want Them? Out-of-class experiences are learning opportunities that broaden students’ exposure – both to different perspectives and to “real world” challenges and opportunities – and thereby enrich and deepen their learning. Students have the added benefit of experiencing knowledge in the context of the people and places they visit or the organizations within which they work; they will have the benefit of working closely with faculty; and they will be better positioned to participate in life beyond college. Study Abroadas an immersive experience where you study at a foreign university for one or more terms. Student-faculty researchinitiatives that allow students to focus on a specific aspect of their discipline. They work one-on-one with a faculty member from initial question to final analysis. Students take advantage of resources specifically available for research and are challenged to incorporate investigative approaches into their education . Boxes like this contain information obtained through a survey of WSU students. Results reflect the feedback obtained from the 1,331 students answering our survey. Travel study initiatives within classes that incorporate domestic or international trips, where the student is away from campus for at least a week. Students are exposed to the topic directly and to the surrounding culture. A survey of WSU indicated that 42% of the respondents wanted to participate in study abroad. Only 28% said that the opportunity was available. A survey of WSU indicated that 34% of the respondents want the chance to do student-faculty research. Only 20% said that the opportunity was available. “My time in Australia was phenomenal. Seeing ecosystems so different from what I grew up with in the Midwest really gave me a better feeling about my future goals”. “I was more prepared for research at physical therapy school because of my undergraduate research project on the ecology of fish in the Upper Mississippi River” Service Learning initiatives that integrate community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Professional Work Experienceinitiatives, which include internships, co-operative programs (co-ops), and practical training (practicum), that offer students the opportunity to work for a period of time in a full-time job that is related to their major. A survey of WSU indicated that 55% of the respondents want travel study opportunities. Only 26% said that the opportunity was available. Student quote – waiting for a comment from a biology student. Feel free to pass one along if you have one. • What do students want to think are the benefits gained from an out-of-class experience? • The top five answers from our student survey were: • Hands-on Experience • Real-Life Experience • Working With Professionals • Personal Growth • Learning Opportunities A survey of WSU indicated that 48% of the respondents wanted to participate in service learning. Only 29% said that the opportunity was available. A survey of WSU indicated that 74% of the respondents want professional work experience opportunities. Of the 1,331 respondents, 70% said they had opportunities for professional work experience. “Participating in service learning has helped me to discover who I am. I've found hidden assets that I possess to make the world a better place.”. “Waiting for comments from one of my students. Anyone else feel free to pass one along”