An Experiential Learning Model: Collaborative Student Creations of Multidisciplinary Community Classroom Experience

Authors

  • Lorelei Boschman Medicine Hat College
  • Colleen Whidden
  • Jason McLester

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/pplt.v3i1.53074

Keywords:

Experiential Learning, Community Classroom, Education

Abstract

A community classroom experience, grounded in the philosophy of experiential learning, was the gauntlet we threw down for our Education students and ourselves as instructors. We situated this experience in the pillars of community classroom and experiential learning. Goals for our students became twofold: goals as a current post-secondary student and goals as a future educator. To activate this experience, groups of students engaged both collaboratively and individually with exploratory learning at a local community classroom site. Student reflections showed deep value and learning through this experience and of this experience. There were challenges including navigating collaborative group work and the necessity of becoming vulnerable alongside the successes of connecting exploratory learning to the real world and witnessing authentic interdisciplinary work. Further questions arising from this research centre on authentic assessment practices and the idea of giving back to the community through these real world experiences.

Author Biographies

Lorelei Boschman, Medicine Hat College

Lorelei Boschman received her Bachelor and Master of Education from the University of Lethbridge and has been an educator for 29 years as an elementary teacher, high school mathematics teacher and currently as Education Coordinator/Instructor at Medicine Hat College. She is also the editor of the MCATA Delta-K journal.

Colleen Whidden

Dr. Colleen Whidden is an Education Instructor at Medicine Hat College. She has received U of C U Make a Difference service award and Alberta Choral Federation arts advocacy award. Colleen presents her academic research at national and international conferences including ISME and AERA in San Diego, Glasgow, and Beijing.

Jason McLester

Jason McLester is currently an Elementary Education (Physical Education and Science Curriculum Courses) and Kinesiology Instructor at Medicine Hat College.  Jason has a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from the University of Alberta as well a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Victoria.

 

References

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Published

2019-04-04

Issue

Section

Conference Theme: Students as Creators