Experiential Learning Training Modules

Quick Links:
Download the Level I Module components.
Download the Level II Module components.
Download the Level III Module components.

Three training modules (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) will provide all the information needed to begin training staff and/or volunteers in any program.

The members of the Science, Technology and Environmental Literacy Workgroup have been developing, presenting, modifying and refining the three modules for the past several years, and have found that the training not only brings about a positive change in knowledge gained, but also has been successful in bringing about behavioral change.

Each two to three-hour workshop outlines concepts and provides practical, real-world experiences to improve participants' understanding, application and evaluation of Experiential Learning.

Experiential Learning Workshop: Level I (Beginning Level)

Understanding the Experiential Learning Cycle

This workshop focuses on learners' understanding and application of Experiential Learning and the Learning Cycle. The workshop provides participants with an opportunity to experience and reflect on learner outcomes through engaging in an Experiential Learning activity.

The workshop will:

  1. Engage participants in developing skills and competencies relating to implementing programs utilizing the Experiential Learning cycle.

  2. Assist participants in improving their skills and confidence in utilizing the Experiential Learning cycle in their teaching.

  3. Create an opportunity for participants to understand the Experiential Learning cycle as it applies to delivering educational programs.

Through hands-on participation, structured reflection, and modeling through practice, participants will develop their understanding of theory and pedagogy through application of the Experiential Learning cycle.

Download the Level I Module components.

Experiential Learning Level II: (Intermediate Level)

Inquiry-Based Learning and the Experiential Learning Cycle

This workshop is designed for individuals who have attended Workshop I. Its content reinforces the concepts of Experiential Learning and the Learning Cycle, but also introduces inquiry-based learning, making a distinction between hands-on Experiential Learning and hands-on Experiential Learning using inquiry.

The workshop will:

  1. Assist participants in distinguishing between a hands-on educational experience that does not involve inquiry, and a hands-on educational experience that is inquiry-based.

  2. Introduce/reinforce participants' understanding of the Experiential Learning cycle.

  3. Engage participants in developing skills and competencies relating to evaluating environmental education programs utilizing the learning cycle of experiential education.

This workshop will focus on strengthening the skills of educators to embed inquiry into experiential learning. Through a fun, interactive/experiential format, exploration through hands-on activities and numerous opportunities for sharing and reflection, participants will gain knowledge and skill on the differences and importance of experiential learning and inquiry.

Download the Level II Module components.

Experiential Learning Level III: (Advanced Training)

Developing and Adapting Curricula to Integrate Experiential Learning

Workshop III applies the concepts from Workshops I and II by engaging participants in evaluating existing curricula to determine if they utilize Experiential Learning and/or inquiry methods. The workshop teaches the "Backward Design" approach (Wiggins and McTighe, 1998) to modify curriculum materials to incorporate Experiential Learning and inquiry methods.

The workshop will:

  1. Introduce/reinforce participants' understanding of the Experiential Learning (EL) cycle and Inquiry.

  2. Allow participants to apply the concepts of Experiential Learning and Inquiry to existing programs and activities.

  3. Engage participants developing skills and competencies relating to designing, education programs utilizing the learning cycle of experiential education.

The workshop will utilize hands-on activities and structured opportunities for reflection, modeling through practice, and coaching from workshop facilitators along with presentation of theory and pedagogy.

Download the Level III Module components.