1. Understanding Experiential Learning
Opportunities for Student Success

2. The Learning Pyramid Lecture 5% Reading 10% Audio Visual 20%
Teaching Method Learning Retention
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Reading %
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Practice by Doing %
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Motorola University: Creating Mindware for the 21st Century, Corporate University Xchange May/June 1996, Vol 2 No 3 and NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, 300 N. Lee Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA

3. What is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning integrates cognitive and behavioral learning theories as an applied approach to "learning by doing" that enables learners to gain experience in the application of learning concepts.

4. Cognitive Learning Theory
Cognitive Learning involves the acquisition of problem-solving by organizing information and creating frameworks or models for understanding relationships between ideas to enhance meaning.

5. Behavioral Learning Theory
Behavioral learning includes learning that changes an individual's behavior and may encompass any of a number of conditioning experiences that create a behavioral change or response to a stimulus

6. Experiential Learning Theory
Experiential Learning (EL) integrates cognition, perception, behavior, experience, and reflection in a holistic learning process.

7. Examples of Experiential Learning
Undergraduate students participate in co-authoring major research papers and presenting those papers at international conferences. An example of student involvement may be found at LSUA Ethics Conference article (2).pdf

8. Examples of Experiential Learning
Students participating in major consulting project to address turnover at a major plywood manufacturing plant. You may access that report by double-clicking on Chopin Project Report.

9. Examples of Experiential Learning
Students who participate in service learning projects can apply course concepts, help the community, and provide an opportunity for job- related skill building.

10. Examples of Experiential Learning
Students teaching peers core concepts in class presentations creates the highest knowledge retention. An example of a student presentation in Prezi can be accessed at ppsxfh1- /leadership/?utm_cam paign=share&utm_med ium=copy

11. Examples of Experiential Learning
DSU students working with Professor Dannelle Larsen-Rife in a major data collection and analysis project related to their discipline and preparing a white paper to submit to President Williams.

12. Examples of Experiential Learning
DSU students participate in the DECA Program under the direction of Bryon Geddes and win state and national honors for their performance in competition with other schools.

13. Examples of Experiential Learning
Students conduct meta- analysis of personal values and survey students in China and at DSU. This student-initiated project will result in seven publications in major international business journals and is coordinated by Dr. Verl Anderson.

14. Examples of Experiential Learning
DSU students created two videos about student retention, create a Webinar to answer incoming student questions, send letters to all incoming freshmen and students “on the fence,” encouraging them to come to DSU and participate in four other projects to aid in student recruitment and retention. An example of the videos may be found at kzi4a740l/AdviceVid.mp4?dl=0

15. Examples of Experiential Learning
Students examined their own personal values, identify their own ethical lens, and define the duties which they owe others in their key life roles – incorporating these insights into an ethical inventory and personal development plan. An example of this process may be found at Ethical Inventory and Self Assessment.docx

16. Nine Keys to Experiential Learning
1) Balance content and process – Experiences should be integrated with learning concepts and theories.
2) Create a safe space – Students should be given the opportunity to reflect and ponder in safety.
3) Make it meaningful – The activity for learning must be substantive and meaningful to the participants.

17. Nine Keys to Experiential Learning
4) Keep a big picture perspective – Experiential learning should be kept in perspective with what is actually going on in the world. “Veridicality” is a key value. Make it real!
5) Build in reflection – Students should be expected to reflect on what they are learning and to use that opportunity to incorporate what they learn into their “theory of life.”
6) Create an emotional investment – Engage students to the point where what they are doing strikes a personal central chord within the learners.

18. Nine Keys for Experiential Learning
7) Make re-examination of values possible. Provide a learning culture that encourages students to suspend their assumptions, reflect on what they learn, and allow themselves to rethink what they know or value.
8) Model meaningful relationships. By treating students as valued owners and partners in the learning process, the teacher models the importance of integrating relationships and knowledge.
9) Exploring comfort zones. Allowing learning to challenge pre-conceived thinking may challenge student comfort zones. Transformative learning is an essential element of the learning process.
Chapman, McPhee, & Proudman, 1995, p. 243

19. So . . . What Will YOU Choose to Do?