Cross-Disciplinary Faculty Perspectives On Experiential Learning

Abstract

An on-line survey was conducted among a university’s department chairs in an effort to gain perspective on university-wide use of Experiential Learning (EL). While there were differences in cross-disciplinary definitions and perspectives regarding EL, ninety-one per cent of 35 department chairs indicated their department made use of EL with greatest use during the junior and senior years. EL is defined generally as a hands-on experience and/or learning by doing while cognitive activity, such as observation and reflection, is included in the definition by a third of the chairs. Eighty-eight per cent of the chairs believe students view EL as either “very beneficial” or “beneficial”.