Experiential Education (EE) is a pedagogical approach that affords students the opportunity to apply theory to a concrete experience in a manner that advances the learning objectives of a course or program.
Classroom Focused Experiential Education
Experiential Activities
Students apply theory and course content to concrete experiences that encourage reflection and conceptualization.
Community Focused Experiential Education
Community Based Learning (CBL)
Community partners are invited into the classroom to present pre-defined problems, questions or issues to be explored and analyzed.
Community Based Research (CBR)
Students work on a research project that has been developed through collaboration between a community partner and a researcher.
Community Service Learning (CSL)
Students engage in activities that address community needs which are also designed to promote learning goals.
Work Focused Experiential
Education
Course-based Placements (CBP)
Students engage in activities where they practice course specific competencies; they receive course credit, but (generally) are not paid.
Program-based Placements (PBP)
Students are given the opportunity to develop competencies and skills in organizational work environments that augment the theories/concepts learned in academic program settings.
Internships
Internships are paid, full-time, one-time, supervised work experiences. The student produces a work term report which is reviewed and graded by the faculty supervisor.
Co-operative Education Programs
Students alternate between periods of paid, full-time, supervised work experiences and academic terms.