The Benefits of Experiential Learning

Author : Khiri Campus | Tag : Community Service Learning, For Teachers, School Programs

Experiential learning provides students with real experiences outside the classroom from which they can develop lifelong practical skills and adapt quickly and pragmatically in problematic or unfamiliar situations. There’s no doubt that a lot of useful knowledge is gained from lectures in college, but the internships and practicums turn those abstract concepts into concrete notions. 

At Khiri Campus, our student travel programs are an important part of the experiential learning process. Not only are our trips a fun way to get out of the classroom, they reinforce academic concepts, and build on students’ relationships with their schooling. In today’s society where smartphones and other technologies have become a part of teenage life, there’s nothing quite like leaving these distractions behind and getting back to the routes of basic practical learning.

Here are some of the benefits from engaging in experiential learning with a Khiri Campus student travel tour:

Making the abstract understandable

In the classroom, students may tune out if the material doesn’t relate to their real-world experience. Experiential learning takes the information in abstract concepts and makes it relatable by testing its practicality with hands-on experiences. A student’s experiential learning experience will also depend on their unique past experiences. Each student will interact with the information and task at hand in a different way. This in turn helps each student to develop a personal connection to the particular subject or area.

Creative development

Experiential learning leads to more creative thinking, with students engaging the creative portion of their brains to find unique solutions to the task at hand. This creativity, along with varied results, forces them to try many different approaches. This flexibility helps to enrich the classroom experience, as well as society as a whole.

Opportunity for reflection

Reflection is an integral part of experiential learning. By combining abstract theories with their concrete experiences, students use new parts of their brains to process this unique, personal knowledge. They will reflect on how their actions affect the results and how their outcomes may vary compared to their peers’. The insights and critical thinking skills gained may aid them in future scenarios.

Learning from mistakes

Part of the magic behind practical learning experiences is discovering a working solution through trial and error. This is a valuable skill to have and will be adapted to future situations. Students become more confident and learn not to fear mistakes, but to value them as part of their personal development.

Accelerated learning

Evidence suggests that practicing a skill or talent strengthens neuroplasticity in the brain, in effect, making us ‘smarter’. Hands-on tasks can be complicated and require patience and teamwork. These processes increase a student’s engagement; accelerates their learning and improves their ability to separate useful and superfluous information.

Improved attitude

In addition to enhancing students’ knowledge and skills, the practical and personal nature of experiential learning engages them emotionally. When students can witness the concrete results and benefits of their hard work, they experience a great sense of pride and gratification. This often leads to a renewed curiosity to learn.

Real-life preparation

The communal nature of Khiri Campus’s community service projects is an important part of the experience. Through our hands-on team projects, students learn to work more effectively together. They develop a plan of action and learn to utilize the unique strengths of each team member. Students learn to apply critical thinking, adapt to circumstances, and develop real-life leadership skills.

Nothing prepares students better for the working world than an opportunity to learn outside the classroom or lecture hall. From our educational travel programs to faculty-led study tours and vocational courses, Khiri Campus gives students the practical edge that graduate schools and employers are often looking for. For more information on Khiri Campus’s programs, please get in touch with us.