Experiential learning workshops

Experiential Learning Design Institute - Preparing Students to Learn Experientially

While Experiential Learning is widely recognized as a high-impact approach to education, many students have little or no experience learning experientially in academic contexts. In this session, we’ll explore the skills and mindsets that students need to develop in order to get the most out of experiential learning opportunities, as well as strategies that instructors can use to prepare students to learn experientially.  

• Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
• Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Delivery method: Room 325 – Education Building (71 Curry Place)
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the Experiential Learning Design Institute - Preparing Students to Learn Experientially

Experientially Speaking Session 1: Indigenous Pedagogies and Experiential Learning 

What is the link between experiential learning and Indigenous pedagogies?

The UM’s interim strategic plan, Our Shared Future, recognizes that “experiential learning integrates principles drawn from Indigenous pedagogies […] and is inextricably linked to Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.” (p.5)

In this session, we’ll explore the connection between experiential learning and Indigenous pedagogies and think about ways of honouring that connection in our individual contexts. 

• Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
• Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Delivery method: Remote - UM Zoom
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the Indigenous Pedagogies and Experiential Learning session

Experiential Learning Design Institute - Designing Effective Learning Experiences/Reflections

Not all experiences are created equal. In this session, we’ll explore the features of effective learning experiences and reflection activities, and practice taking an integrated approach to their design. Particular attention will be given to modalities of experience that go beyond “doing”, and strategies to design personalized rubrics for critical reflection. 

• Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
• Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Delivery method: Room 325 – Education Building (71 Curry Place)
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the Experiential Learning Design Institute - Designing Effective Learning Experiences/Reflections 

Experiential Learning Design Institute - Assessing Experiential Learning

There is more to assessment in experiential learning than grading critical reflection papers. In this session we’ll discuss different approaches and areas of assessment in experiential learning. We’ll pay special attention to the importance of iteration—giving students the chance to revisit a learning experience—within the experiential learning cycle and its implications for assessment. 

• Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023
• Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Delivery method: Room 325 – Education Building (71 Curry Place)
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the Experiential Learning Design Institute - Assessing Experiential Learning

Experientially Speaking Session 2: A.I. and Experiential Learning: The Good, The Bad and Chat GPT

Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. So, how can we use it to enhance experiential approaches to teaching and learning?

In this session, we’ll explore the good, the bad and the unknown impacts of A.I. tools in the context of experiential learning.

Some of the questions to be discussed include: 

1. What are effective ways of integrating A.I tools to experiential approaches to teaching and learning? 
2. What new skills, mindsets and experiences do instructors and students need to cultivate to use these tools appropriately?
3. What are some potential challenges and pitfalls of introducing A.I. into experiential learning? And how can we prepare ourselves to avoid them?

• Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023
• Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Delivery method: Remote - UM Zoom
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the A.I. and Experiential Learning session

The Experiential Learning Gathering: Mapping EL at the UM

Experiential Learning (EL) Gatherings take place at the start of every academic term. Hosted by the Office of Experiential Learning, these events offer EL practitioners opportunities to connect, build relationships and shape the future of EL the UM.

• Meet other faculty members, instructors and staff who engage in EL.
• Get inspired, share stories, explore ideas, and learn more about the many forms of EL that take place at the UM.
• Find out about new initiatives and add your voice to the conversation about the future of EL at the UM.

Each Gathering explores a different aspect, theme or emerging challenge of EL at the UM.

Join us for a morning of great conversation and creativity.

• Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
• Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
• Delivery method: Room 200 - Education Building (71 Curry Place)
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra, M.A. (Faculty Specialist: Experiential Learning), The Centre

Register for the Experiential Learning Gathering: Mapping EL at the UM event 

Experientially Speaking Session 3: Experiential Learning in The Time of Crisis

Climate disaster, Covid-19, financial crises, the rise of fascism, international conflict, forced migration. These are some of the crises facing our students today. 

How can experiential learning help students develop the skills, knowledge and experiences required to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world?

How might traditional approaches to experiential learning need to change to adapt to this new reality?

• Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
• Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
• Delivery method: Remote - UM Zoom
• Facilitator: Gerardo Villagran Becerra

Register for the Experiential Learning in The Time of Crisis session