Throughout this entire blog we have discussed “things not learned in the classroom” through college. However, what does “things not learned in the classroom ” equate to in the world of academia? According to the Association of Experiential Education, “Experiential learning is referred to as learning through action, learning by doing, learning through experience, and learning through discovery and exploration. “Experiential learning is a type of learning that allows the individual hands-on experience so that it can actually be applied in the future.”

Popular scholars have spoken about their opinion on experiential learning:

Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I will learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin, 1750

There is an intimate and necessary relation between the process of actual experience and education. ~ John Dewey, 1938

So, what are the main benefits of experiential learning? 

• Grasping concepts more easily

As an individual trying to master a concept learned in the classroom, taking it to the next level by experiencing it hands-on makes the concept easier to understand. For example, during my undergraduate experience here at Drexel we were given the opportunity to take a class called Business Communication. In this class we learned about cover letters, writing professional emails, writing resumes, etc. Then, when I was on my first co-op, I was able to apply the professional email communication skill in one of my everyday tasks. Now that I was able to apply this concept in a professional setting, it will always be ingrained in me. 

• Students can value mistakes

Experiential learning truly allows us to learn and value our mistakes. As discussed earlier in the blog, learning how to learn from failures is the most valuable concept we can assimilate for essentially any aspect of life. If you make a mistake in a hands-on experience, you will need to find another way to solve the problem after the mistake is made. This allows for the individual to create trial and error methods to find out what works best.

• Creativity is encouraged

Listening to a lecture from a professor and furiously taking notes is great. However, when you are learning from experience you are more likely to think outside of the box. Through co-op I learned that every task with directions is not handed to you. You must think about ways to work creatively, the ways that work best for you. In addition, through co-op I have learned that employers like creative suggestions and creative projects for the betterment of the company/organization.

 References:

“Experiential Learning: Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.” Northern Illinois University, https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/experiential-learning.shtml.

“Why Is Experiential Learning Important?” RSS, https://www.easchooltours.com/blog/experiential-learning-learn-through-experience.