Introduction to Experiential Education

1. UWC-Costa Rica Introduction to Experiential Education February 3, 2014

2. We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time -T.S. Eliot

3. UWC EDUCATIONAL MODEL (Final Draft)

4. Introduction • Experiential Learning • Experiential Education • The Experiential Cycle • The Experiential Cycle in Action • Applications, Questions, Wonderings, Challenges • Closing Agenda

5. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

6. Experimented • Explored • Learned from someone else’s example • Put yourself in the place of someone or something (empathy/perspective taking) • It was a process • Safe place to take risks • It was challenging or a “stretch” • Reflected on, 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

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

8. Experiential Learning at UWC

9. Where do you see experiential learning and experiential education occurring at UWC-Costa Rica? • How does experiential learning already connect to what you do?

12. “It was so much fun! I got shot in the leg and died of massive blood loss!"  - Participant, Age 10, in simulation of U.S. Civil War battle Just because we do something does not mean that it is educative. Without intentionality it could just as easily be miseducative. Karen Park Koenig, www.rethinkingschools.org, vol. 23 (2009)

13. “…experiences may be so disconnected from one another that, while each is agreeable or even exciting in itself, they are not linked cumulatively to one another. Energy is then dissipated and a person becomes scatterbrained. Each experience may be lively, vivid, and "interesting," and yet their disconnectedness may artificially generate dispersive, disintegrated, centrifugal habits….” ~ John Dewey, Experience and Education (1938)

14. EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION

15. Experiential Education Experiential learning and experiential education are buzzwords within many educational circles. These terms are often used interchangeably. There are numerous published definitions of experiential education (Joplin, 1981; Luckman, 1996; Itin, 1999). The Association for Experiential Education (2004) defines experiential education a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. Central to this definition is the distinction between experiential education as methodology and experiential education as philosophy. This distinction suggests that there is a difference between experiential learning and experiential education. … a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. Association for Experiential Education (2013) www.aee.org

16. EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION A Philosophy… • “Intentional, purposeful approach to teaching and learning” • Harnesses the natural power of Experiential Learning • Is a formal way to support learning • Intended aim, outcomes, objectives to focus the experiential process • Is learner centered • Uses experiential methodologies, of which there are many…

17. Philosophy of Experiential Education Project Based Learning Cooperative Education Experience Based Training and Development Simulations Expeditionary Learning Wilderness Education Adventure Education Problem Based Learning Inquiry Adventure Based Counseling Environmental Education Internships Service Learning Art, Play, Music, Drama & related Therapies Adventure/Challenge Education Equine Assisted Therapy And more…

18. Commonalities • Process-based • Safe environment that supports risk taking • Student/learner centered • Experiential Learning Model (cycle)…

20. Inquiry Cycle Activating Prior knowledge Providing background Information PRESENTATION & FEEDBACK FRONTLOADING MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE ASKING QUESTIONS GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

21. PRESENTATION & FEEDBACK FRONTLOADING MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE ASKING QUESTIONS GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE

24. Collegiality Concert, joint action, co-acting, sharing, commonality, united, concurrence, interdependent, joining of hands, common effort, common enterprise or endeavor

25. Collegiality The Cooperative interaction among colleagues

26. Collaboration Concur, harmonize, go into partnership with, get together and team up and buddy up, pull together, hold together, hang together, keep together, stand shoulder-to-shoulder

27. Collaboration To work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor

28. Alphabet Team Exercise TEAMWORK Collaboration How did we get there? • How do we do this in our situation? • Self Assessment Information: Synonyms, Definitions Collegiality/Collaboration Principles of Collaborative Leadership

29. Why Experiential?How does it fit with UWC-Costa Rica

30. Applications, Questions, Wonderings, Challenges

31. What questions do you have about EL and EE in    general? • What are the benefits of EL and EE at UWC Costa Rica? • What are the Challenges? • Other thoughts?

32. Social Responsibility Diversity Sustainability Leadership Conflict Transformation Healthy Living How do the competencies fit with Experiential Learning/Experiential Education? How does EL/EE fit in with the competencies?

33. In the Learning Zone EL @ UWCCR Natural Learning EL & EE Vision Shapes Connecting to your situation – Small groups Competency Connection Differentiating between EL and EE Definition of EE Commonalities between Methodologies – ELC ELC in Action – Collaborative Leadership