1. Introduction to Experiential Education February 3, 2014 UWC-Costa Rica

2. We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time -T.S. Eliot

4.  Introduction  Experiential Learning  Experiential Education  The Experiential Cycle  The Experiential Cycle in Action  Applications, Questions, Wonderings, Challenges  Closing

6. a. Experimented b. Explored c. Learned from someone else’s example d. Put yourself in the place of someone or something (empathy/perspective taking) e. It was a process f. Safe place to take risks g. It was challenging or a “stretch” h. Reflected on, or thought about, what you were learning i. Related to your life experiences and/or interests j. You were ready to learn it k. Knew it was Important to learn

7. Happens all the time Is a natural way to learn Experimentation Exploration Example Empathy EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING…

9. Where do you see experiential learning and experiential education occurring at UWC- Costa Rica? How does experiential learning already connect to what you do?

12. “It was so much fun! I got shot in the leg and died of massive blood loss!" - Participant, Age 10, in simulation of U.S. Civil War battle Karen Park Koenig, www.rethinkingschools.org, vol. 23 (2009)www.rethinkingschools.org Just because we do something does not mean that it is educative. Without intentionality it could just as easily be miseducative.

13. “…experiences may be so disconnected from one another that, while each is agreeable or even exciting in itself, they are not linked cumulatively to one another. Energy is then dissipated and a person becomes scatterbrained. Each experience may be lively, vivid, and "interesting," and yet their disconnectedness may artificially generate dispersive, disintegrated, centrifugal habits….” ~ John Dewey, Experience and Education (1938)

15. Experiential learning and experiential education are buzzwords within many educational circles. These terms are often used interchangeably. There are numerous published definitions of experiential education (Joplin, 1981; Luckman, 1996; Itin, 1999). The Association for Experiential Education (2004) defines experiential education a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. Central to this definition is the distinction between experiential education as methodology and experiential education as philosophy. This distinction suggests that there is a difference between experiential learning and experiential education. Experiential Education … a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. Association for Experiential Education (2013) www.aee.org

16. EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION A Philosophy… “Intentional, purposeful approach to teaching and learning” Harnesses the natural power of Experiential Learning Is a formal way to support learning Intended aim, outcomes, objectives to focus the experiential process Is learner centered Uses experiential methodologies, of which there are many…

17. Wilderness Education Adventure Based Counseling Inquiry Service Learning Art, Play, Music, Drama & related Therapies Simulations Experience Based Training and Development Environmental Education Internships Expeditionary Learning Adventure/Challenge Education Philosophy of Experiential Education And more… Equine Assisted Therapy Cooperative Education Project Based Learning Problem Based Learning Adventure Education

18. Commonalities

20. Inquiry Cycle FRONTLOADING ASKING QUESTIONS GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE PRESENTATION & FEEDBACK Activating Prior knowledgeProviding background Information

21. FRONTLOADING ASKING QUESTIONS GATHERING INFORMATION & CONSTRUCTING KNOWLEDGE MAKING KNOWLEDGE VISIBLE PRESENTATION & FEEDBACK

24. Collegiality Concert, joint action, co-acting, sharing, commonality, united, concurrence, interdependent, joining of hands, common effort, common enterprise or endeavor

25. Collegiality The Cooperative interaction among colleagues

26. Concur, harmonize, go into partnership with, get together and team up and buddy up, pull together, hold together, hang together, keep together, stand shoulder-to- shoulder Collaboration

27. To work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor Collaboration

28. Alphabet Team Exercise How did we get there? Information: Synonyms, Definitions Collegiality/Collaboration Principles of Collaborative Leadership How do we do this in our situation? Self Assessment TEAMWORK Collaboration

29. Why Experiential? How does it fit with UWC-Costa Rica

31. What questions do you have about EL and EE in general? What are the benefits of EL and EE at UWC Costa Rica? What are the Challenges? Other thoughts?

32. How do the competencies fit with Experiential Learning/Experiential Education? How does EL/EE fit in with the competencies? Social ResponsibilityDiversity SustainabilityLeadership Conflict TransformationHealthy Living

33. In the Learning Zone EL @ UWCCR Vision Shapes Differentiating between EL and EE Definition of EE Commonalities between Methodologies – ELC ELC in Action – Collaborative Leadership Connecting to your situation – Small groups Competency Connection Natural Learning EL & EE