Experiential Learning Jennifer Singleton

Definition Experiential learning is a process through which students develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside a traditional academic setting. Experiential learning contains numerous elements, such as the following: Reflecting, critically analyzing and synthesizing Taking initiative, make decisions, and being accountable for the results Engaging intellectually, creatively, emotionally, socially, or physically Learning from natural consequences, mistakes, and successes Sources: http://www.ucdenver.edu/life/services/ExperientialLearning/about/Pages/WhatisExperientialLearning.aspx

Benefits Limitations Increased student motivation. Increased self-esteem. Increased engagement in school. Designed to help students make connections. Promotes understanding. Sources: http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/OtherReports/20091022ExperientialLearning.html http://www.bethel.edu/media/university/faculty/engaged-teaching/media/ExperientialLearning.pdf Can sometimes have a negative impact on student academic success. Different cultural experiences can put one at a disadvantage. Little or no experience can put one at a disadvantage. Cannot apply this learning style to every situation. Sources: http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-explrn.htm

Possibilities Debates Role playing Internships Research Study Abroad Decision Making Exercises Simulation Games Critique/Evaluation Tutoring Sources http://sbaweb.wayne.edu/~absel/bkl/Bg/BGe1.pdf

Debates Builds public speaking skills. Improves analytical skills, which is important in mathematics. Builds research skills. Debates require careful listening and note taking, so they improve these skills for students as well.

Debates Teachers could have debates in a math class to help review for a test or to even introduce a new topic. When picking a math debate topic, there are some guidelines that will be helpful to follow: Focus on a math CONCEPT Make sure topic is accessible to all students Make sure topic can be debated For more information: http://bestpracticesweekly.com/?page_id=327

Simulation Games Simulation games allow students to get “real-world” experience and make mistakes without having to suffer “real world” consequences. Simulation games are also complex enough to cater to the different learning styles. Simulation games help students to use their metacognition skills, which can help improve strategic thinking, analytical skills, and visual attention. Sources: http://www.decisionwaresim.com/home_benefits.php

Simulation Games Teachers could implement simulation games into their lessons, which would most likely increase student involvement. There are multiple math simulation games available for free on the web. The following links are for a variety of ages: http://www.barcodesinc.com/articles/mobile-math-list.htm http://www.math-play.com/Algebra-Math-Games.html http://www.cut-the-knot.com/games.shtml

Evaluation Evaluation can serve as a basis to a class discussion. Evaluation promotes problem solving skills. When a student uses evaluation, they are building their metacognition skills. Not only does evaluation involve metacognition, but it also involves analysis. It can improve critical thinking skills.

Evaluation There are many types of evaluation and many ways a teacher can input evaluating skills in their classroom Evaluation can be as simple as giving a student a problem, such as: 3x + 2 = 11 and ask them to evaluate the expression. To promote more complex evaluating skills, teachers should help improve students critical thinking skills. A teacher could probe students with questions to improve these skills. (There are some good examples in the link.) Sources: http://www.teachscienceandmath.com/2011/09/14/how-to-encourage-critical-thinking-in-science-and-math/