Experiential Learning: Learning through Reflective Practice

Abstract

Experiential learning is a means to enhance student learning by providing the opportunity, through reflective practice, for students to develop knowledge and apply theory in practice. Based on the extant literature, and my experience as an experiential learning specialist in a teacher education program, I offer the following as core benefits of experiential learning for students: 1) experiential learning provides students with opportunities to critically engage in learningproviding students with a deeper and more meaningful understanding of theoretical knowledge beyond the textbook; 2) providing mentoring and guided navigation of the realities of the workplacethe ability to successfully traverse the nuanced and at times, problematic realities of the workplace; and most importantly, 3) allowing for the development of a thoughtful, personal commitment to professionalism through reflective practiceintrinsically, through reflective practice, students become agents of their own learning characterized by a meta-cognitive awareness of their development as novice professionals. Throughout this paper these benefits are discussed through the lens of three research studies: Conversations About Education, Associate Teacher Feedback, and Teacher Candidate Partnerships. This research context underscores the impact of experiential learning to engage students so that they may learn and grow professionally through reflective practice.