Experiential Education – Where it comes from, What it is, and Why it belongs
September 26, 2008
In one of the comments to my last entry, one of my former students asked for examples of ‘experiential education’. The York School has, since its beginnings, had the motto, “Experientia Docet”, or “Experience Teaches”. In our most recent Strategic Plan (2007), one of the major planks was to be a renewed push in the area of experiential education. Based on that commitment, we had our faculty begin this year with a half day focused on experiential education as an ongoing area for professional development. To set the context for the direction the school had adopted, I gave an address in which I outlined the philosophical underpinnings of experiential education, and the rationale for this strategic direction. You can access the address at the following link. Click here
2 Responses to “Experiential Education – Where it comes from, What it is, and Why it belongs”
Leave a Reply
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
September 28th, 2008 at 2:56 am
Love the idea of “experiential education”. I want to reflect more on that notion and how one’s experience is so different from that of others; thus the need for ongoing discussion, dialogue and conversations that will build common understanding. Thanks for sharing your address to the school with us.
On the topic of reflection- so often implied that it is something we do “alone” and later, but great reflections can also take place through deep conversations that seemingly get all tangled up with lots of thoughts and ideas…if we take the time to go there!
Annelies Hoogland
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
The most valuable part of any experiential ed I’ve done or been involved in has been the reflection piece.
I heard in a course once, something to the effect of (only more eloquently said), “enduring understanding happens for those who reflect on the intended learning rather than on the activity.”
Thanks for sharing.