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Religious Education

Experiential Learning Application Grants

Experiential Learning

At BYU Inspiring Learning is an umbrella term for both classroom learning and experiential learning. While both forms of learning are an integral part of what we are doing at BYU, Experiential Learning is defined as inspiring learning that takes place outside of the classroom.[1] It is accomplished by learning through experience (Kolb, 1984). While learning may naturally occur through any given experience, not all experience produces Experiential Learning.

In efforts to be able to evaluate the experiential learning experiences that our students are having across campus the Center for Teaching and Learning has developed a common framework that enables us to:

  • have a common language set that we can use across campus and that will help us gather student feedback
  • standardize our reporting, and
  • create a systemic means of collecting impact or inspiring learning.

Please familiarize yourself with the following four foundational principles of experiential learning. In your application for experiential learning funds you will be asked to specify how your project will incorporate each of these principles. Students involved in experiential learning will receive an email survey from the university asking about their experience in each of these foundational principles.

DEFINITION OF TERMS and HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES

At BYU, four foundational principles distinguish experiential learning from ordinary or chance experience.

  1. Inspiration: Inspiring Learning is "learning that leads to inspiration or revelation" (Worthen, 2016). Learners are invited to actively engage the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the realm of inquiry in which they may be involved (see Moroni 10:5). The experience will foster opportunities which lead to inspiration or revelation.
  2. Intention: Learning outcomes are outlined. The learning outcomes may describe the knowledge, skills, or abilities the learners should have after successfully completing the experience. The experience will include high performance expectations as reflected in learning outcomes.
  3. Integration: High impact practices are utilized and avenues to apply learning are identified. Application of emerging inspiration, knowledge, skills, or dispositions are fostered, with evidence of one or more of the following:
    1. Include mentoring with frequent, timely, and constructive feedback.
    2. Provide real-world opportunities to apply learning.
    3. Provide opportunities for public demonstration of competence.
    4. Require a significant amount of concentrated effort over time.
    5. Provide opportunity to interact with others on substantive matters.
    6. Provide opportunity to engage with people and circumstances that differ from what is familiar to me.
  4. Reflection: Learners engage in purposeful reflection. Learners consider what they have learned (what), ascertain meaning (so what), and how their learning can be used in future career or life plans (now what). The experience will include periodic, structured opportunities to reflect and integrate learning.

EXPERIENCE TYPES

BYU recognizes six broad categories of experimental learning opportunities (Experience Types) that incorporate inspiration, intention, integration, and reflection.

  1. Culminating Learning Experience: An academic, co-curricular learning opportunity where students demonstrate and/or increase mastery of knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
    • Professionalizing experience
    • Capstone/Project-based learning
    • Competition (competing)
    • Conference/Symposium/Workshop
    • Portfolio
    • Senior project or thesis
  2. Field Study/Field Work: A faculty-led, academic study or work situation in a real-world setting.
  3. Internship: Structured learning (includes learning objectives & outcomes) that takes place in a professional setting.
    • Clinical
    • Off-campus internship
    • On-campus internship
    • International internship
    • Practicum
  4. Research: Faculty directed study of a subject which seeks to discover new information or reach new understanding, or application of a discipline to develop new practices, processes, policies, resources, or tools.
    • Conference (presenting)
    • Mentored practice or product
    • Mentored research
    • Publishing
  5. Study Abroad: A faculty-led, academic study experience which provides opportunities for students to be exposed to different cultures, people, and environments.
  6. Campus Engagement: A co-curricular, campus-based experience; examples include:
    • Club leadership
    • Service Learning
    • Student employment
    • Teaching assistantships

Download the Experiential Learning Application Form

Please send application document electronically as a PDF file to: Adam Hellewell (adam_hellewell@byu.edu)

[1] https://teaching.byu.edu/training-workshops/what-do-we-mean-by-experiential-learning-the-byu-framework-of-impactful-practice