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Experiential Education
What is experiential learning?
We have embraced an experiential learning model to provide an interactive environment in which students can most effectively grasp the ideas and concepts learned inside the classroom and while engaged in our academically integrated port program. The following description and illustration aims to define 'experiential learning for your understanding.
Experiential education engages learners in direct experience and focused reflection, including critical analysis and synthesis, in order to increase knowledge, develop skills and clarify values.
Roles:
The learner:
- takes initiative
- makes decisions
- is accountable for the results
- is actively engaged
The educator:
- sets suitable experiences
- poses problems
- sets boundaries
- supports on various levels
- facilitates the learning process
Educator and learner may experience:
- success
- failure
- uncertainty
- adventure
- risk-taking
© David A. Kolb 1976
How will experiential learning occur aboard
The Scholar Ship?
The unique aspects of The Scholar Ship, including its multicultural living community, the online and face-to-face orientation and reentry programs, the Onboard Life program, and the Port Program, create an ideal environment for guided experiential learning. Academic teaching staff provide assignments for participant-observers while in port. Intercultural Residential Counselors (IRCs), trained in experiential education theory and practice, carefully facilitate chosen activities to assist students’ assimilation of new knowledge.
Through experiential learning, students:
- observe
- participate in hands-on group activities in and out of the classroom
- play interactive games online and face-to-face
- undertake field research onboard and when in port
- interview individuals from different cultures
- visit local organizations when in port
- participate in service projects (volunteer with a local community group or organization and learn about local issues while fulfilling a stated need)
- discuss, analyze and interpret port program experiences within their learning circle groups