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Principles & Types

Western's Experiential Learning Typology and Principles (Approved by Senate in 2019)

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is an approach that educators use to intentionally connect learners with practical experiences that include authentic and focused reflection. Experiential learning allows learners to:

  • Increase and apply disciplinary knowledge
  • Develop transferable skills
  • Clarify interests and values
  • Strengthen employability
  • Collaborate meaningfully with communities


Principles of Experiential Learning

In 2017, the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) released a checklist of six principles to help educators determine if a course or activity is a form of experiential learning. To support faculty, staff, and students at Western in applying the MTCU principles at our institution, and to promote the delivery of high-quality experiential learning, Western's Experiential Learning Taskforce developed the following guidelines:

Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU) Experiential Learning Principles at Western
The student is in a workplace or simulated workplace. The experience is designed to enable the application of knowledge and skills in a workplace, or realistic workplace scenario.
The student is exposed to authentic demands that improve their employability, interpersonal skills, and transition to the workforce. The experience is designed to strengthen students' transferable skills, career competencies, and citizenship.
The experience is structured with purposeful and meaningful activities.
  • The experience emphasizes ethical approaches to partnership and student engagement.
  • The experience includes learning outcomes.
  • The experience includes active, continuous supervision and mentorship (as appropriate) by the institution (and partner, where applicable).
The student applies university or college program knowledge and/or essential employability skills. The experience is designed to facilitate reciprocal connections between theory and practice.
The experience includes student self-assessment and evaluation of the student's performance and learning outcomes by the employer and/or university/college.
  • The student engages in guided reflection.
  • The experience includes formal evaluation of learning outcomes by the institution (and partner, where applicable)
The experience counts toward course credit or credential completion OR is formally recognized by the college or university as meeting the five criteria above.
  • The student receives recognition for the experience on a curricular or co-curricular record.

To qualify as experiential learning, the activity must align with one of the definitions below and meet all of the above-mentioned experiential learning principles.

Types of Curricular Experiential Learning

Case based learning A learning activity that involves groups of students examining a detailed, real life, authentic, or contextualized situation that requires the group to assess, evaluate, and respond with recommendations (e.g. Business 1220E Case Competition).
Community engaged learning Students engage in a project, developed collaboratively with a community partner, that has mutually beneficial outcomes.
Co-op Alternating academic study with paid, supervised work terms. The total amount of a co-op is normally at least 30% of the time spent in academic study.
Creative, performance, physical practice An experience that enables skill development through intensive practice or performance (e.g. studio course, performance-based course, movement modules).
Entrepreneurship A course that requires a student(s) to create and manage the development of a product or business idea.
Exchange A program of study whereby partner institutions establish a reciprocal agreement which enables students to register and study at the host partner institution with credit transferred back to the home institution. Program duration is one or two terms, a summer or short-term study period.
Faculty-led study abroad A structured group learning activity under the supervision of a home-institution faculty member comprised of credit course(s). Educational activities are centered on a portion of learning taking place abroad, outside of the classroom.
Field Experience An individual or group excursion that requires the student(s) to observe or engage in activities outside the traditional classroom (e.g. field trip, field school).
Independent Study Abroad A program of study which enables students to register and study at a host institution with credit transferred back to the home institution. Program duration is one or two terms, a summer or short-term study period.
Industry Project A course that involves students working with an external partner on a specific project to propose strategies that address an organizational challenge or idea (e.g. consulting project).
Internship (long-term) A supervised, paid, full-time work experience extending beyond a single academic term.
Internship (short-term) A supervised work experience during a single academic term. May be paid or unpaid.
Lab A distinct course component that includes the self-directed hands-on application of course concepts in a controlled setting.
Practicum (or Placement) A mandatory, supervised experience in a discipline in which practice-based experience may be required for professional licensure or certification.
Research/Scholarly Creation A supervised/mentored project extending over at least a term, during which the student engages in original research or scholarly creation.
Simulation A learning exercise that mimics/simulates a real-world process or system (e.g. Faculty of Social Science model UN, School of Nursing Clinical Skills Lab, Faculty of Law moot court).

 

Types of Co-Curricular Experiential Learning

Career Preparation / Professional Development Intensive work undertaken to explore career interests and develop professional skills (e.g., mentorship, workshop series).
Education Abroad International or intercultural learning (in‑person or virtual) that builds global competence.
Entrepreneurship Create and test a product/service or venture idea with mentorship and resources.
On‑Campus Work Experience Paid roles within Western faculties/units that build experience in a professional setting.
Project‑Based Learning Collaborative projects with community or industry partners (incl. Community‑Engaged Learning and Industry Projects).
Research Supervised experiences carrying out research‑related activities.
Student Clubs and Associations Recognized student‑led groups; activities may be EL in nature when designed to meet EL principles.
Student Government Representative bodies of elected students who advocate for constituents, provide leadership and service, facilitate programs, and may potentially oversee student fees (e.g. University Student’s Council, Society of Graduate Students, Faculty Councils, Residents’ Council).
Student Leadership University-sanctioned opportunities for students to develop their skills while contributing to the Western community (e.g., Orientation Soph, Residence Staff, Leadership & Academic Mentorship Program).
Volunteerism Students participate in university-sanctioned, unpaid activities or projects with community organizations.
Work‑Integrated Learning (Co‑Curricular) Paid, supervised work experiences outside for‑credit programs (e.g., Summer Enhanced Work Study).