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The idea of learning from experience has become commonplace in the world of higher education where often one of the most important goals for a student is to gain employment upon graduation. Considered more broadly, the experiential focus prepares a student for life - a world of further study, employment and living. What it is: The "extended classroom" places a particular emphasis on how well the student can apply knowledge in practice settings. These experiences ought to: be based upon clear, well-articulated and measurable objectives; incorporate meaningful learning and working dimensions; include learning about other communities, how to enter them, be an active participant and contributor, and be accountable to them; contribute to the development of life skills; foster personal growth; promote engagement and networking; and provide cross-cultural exposure and learning, and allow for the exploration of the world. Experiential learning can take on forms as varied as: employment in a field related to an area of academic concentration; internships that help explore career choices; volunteer work in the not-for-profit sector to fight for social or economic justice; community-based projects that discuss issues and solve problems in groups; study abroad incorporating service-learning projects; and research projects. |
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How it works: Each student is required to take between one and four experiential blocks as part of his or her academic program. These blocks are designed to meet each student's academic and career interests and can include varied experiences, as outlined above. Each experiential learning block must be approved and supervised by the student's faculty advisor or, as appropriate, another Quest tutor. Normally, experiential learning blocks are completed as part of a student's Individual Concentration Program and must contribute to the achievement of the learning outcomes agreed upon for the Concentration developed by the student and approved by the faculty advisor. Experiential learning blocks are treated in the same way as regular classroom-based blocks. They are an integral part of the formal curriculum, and they are based upon specific learning outcomes. They are supervised; involve assignments; and result in the awarding of grades. Experiential Learning and the Capstone Course: Experiential learning blocks may be taken in conjunction with a Capstone course, depending on the nature of a student's Capstone project. In these instances, the student pays tuition for each of the Capstone and experiential learning blocks. A student may also have the opportunity to complete an experiential learning block in conjunction with other blocks that a student is taking concurrently. The experiential learning block may, on occasion, extend over a two block period. In all cases, a student must receive the prior approval of her or his faculty advisor. The Experiential Learning Contract: Each student is required to complete an Experiential Learning Contract for each experiential learning block. It is essential to complete this contract as it outlines the learning objectives for the block, where the learning will take place, and it serves as the basis upon which the student is assessed and graded. The supervisor(s), faculty advisor, and the student must sign the contract. |
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