Excellence through action : an experiential learning project
Date
2003
Authors
Phelan, Michael
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2003
Abstract
Students often claim that schooling and education is irrelevant. Questioning subject
matter, methodology and objectives, they want to know why they need to learn what
professionals deliver. From a naIve and immature view of the world youth feel powerless
to change a system that forces knowledge on them through methods that are contrary to
their nature. This project examines the effects of an educational system based on theory
and practices of experiential education. An experiential based approach was chosen
because the nature ofthis teaching style matches the natural learning style of young
people. Relevancy and natural consequences are foundational concepts that bring
educational material to life and nurture actualization on personal and collective levels.
The cornerstone of this project is a case study of eleven high school students who were
directly involved in all aspects of attempting to effect change in a global context. Their
mission was to plan, produce, and finalize videos that would be used to assist community
associations in Costa Rica in promoting their causes and services. Assessment, reflection,
and final analysis of the project were facilitated through the qualitative methods of
individual and group discussion, journals, focus question responses, observation notes
accumulated by chaperones, and video documentation. The results were overwhelming,
in fact unanimous, in identifying the power of the relation of experiential curriculum
delivered in a relevant and directly consequential manner to the efficiency and quality of
student learning. When students are given control over their learning and use decisionmaking
and problem solving techniques in a process that produces real change internally
and externally, they feel empowered and internalize habits and concepts associated with
lifelong learning.
Description
vii, 122 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Experiential learning , Active learning