Introduction
Facilitating experiential learning opportunities rely on the contributions of a number of stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders and staff, community partners, and students. This module will introduce you to the common features of effective experiential learning and provide you with information about the important roles that industry and community partners play in experiential learning opportunities.
This module has been designed for Community Partners and Employers.
What is experiential learning?
Examples and Artifacts
research EL and learning theory
Educational theorists offer a range of recommendations for industry and community partners involved in EL. These are summarized in the following presentation.
image EL and continuous learning
This illustrated version of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle positions EL as a powerful tool for developing students personal, social and economic capacities, equipping them to be lifelong learners.
image Student as actor
This diagram details the different roles and activities of the Student (as Actor and as Receiver) through the stages of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.
External Links
link Forms of EL
EL can take many different forms. This website from Carleton University lists a number of different examples of EL opportunities offered by industry and community partners.
video How We All Learn Naturally
This whiteboard video argues that learning through experience is the most natural and powerful form of learning.
What is the role of industry and community partners in EL?
Examples and Artifacts
table Characteristics of EL
This table summarizes some of the key characteristics that should be present in order to define an activity or method as experiential learning in the post-secondary context. Of these characteristics, many are at least partially facilitated and supported by employers and community partners.
quiz Self Assessment: What is EL?
External Resources
document Guiding Principles for EL
This document provides the background on and an explanation of the Ministry's EL principles, along with examples of EL activities. It also describes the state of the data to support PSE, employers, and other partners in expanding the number of EL activities for Ontario students. How to apply the principles is outlined in the document's final section. Guidelines published by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, 2017.
document Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario
This report makes ten recommendations to the provincial government as it aims to enhance the experiential learning opportunities of secondary and post-secondary students as well as modernizing the apprenticeship framework to better support entrants in the skilled trades. Report published by Ontario Chamber of Commerce, 2017.
document Guidelines for Workplace Insurance for
Postsecondary Students
These guidelines apply to workplace insurance claims relating to all injuries/diseases incurred by Student Trainees in publicly assisted postsecondary institutions on Unpaid Work Placements with Placement Employers. Guidelines published by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, 2017.
Examples and Artifacts
list Reflective prompts
This document provides examples of questions to build into student reflection activities.
External Resources
video Reflective Learning
This video features York University students sharing their EL experiences.
document What is Reflective Practice?
Guide published by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
document Reflective Practice Workshop Notes
Notes from Reflective Practice workshop by Claire Sewell, University of Cambridge, 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Planning and development worksheet
This worksheet can be completed online or exported so you can continue work on it. Note that If you advance another module or visit another site, your work will not be saved. Be sure to export your document before continuing.
Recommended next module:
Community Partners and Employers: Leveraging EL to Support Organizational Learning and Success
Faculty and Academic Leaders: Roles and Responsibilities in EL