Experiential learning is a process of learning by doing. 

Experiential learning allows students to actively apply the knowledge, skills, and concepts they learn in your class to a real-world environment. 

In addition to the hands-on experience, experiential learning includes reflection on what students have learned and how to apply their knowledge to their current and future life plans. 

Current practices in experiential learning are generally based on David Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory. Kolb described the ideal experiential learning experience as one that includes a four-step cycle of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting. 

Image from the Institute for Experiential Learning. 

Experiential assignments can significantly improve students' understanding of how course content applies to professional life. Incorporating at least one experiential learning assignment in your course can go a long way to helping students connect your content to their professional futures.

Employers say that students don't always know how to effectively translate what they learn in college into the practical, real-world skills they need to be successful in the workplace.

Providing students with at least one experiential learning assignment in your course can help students bridge the gap between college and work.

• Improved retention of new knowledge, especially in the marketable skills needed by employers
• Experience and practice in their chosen field
• Enhanced skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking
• Opportunities to practice and refine skills
• Exposure to different views and cultures
• Confidence in their own knowledge and abilities
• Increased motivation and enthusiasm for the content
• Networking opportunities for future employment 

To effectively implement experiential learning, educators should design authentic, field-relevant activities that mirror professional expectations. By merging this approach with gamification, through elements like points, badges, and challenges, learners become actively immersed in simulations, case studies, role-playing, and real-world projects such as internships or community service. This fusion provides immediate feedback and rewards, boosting engagement and motivation while fostering deeper understanding and knowledge retention.

Reach out to UTSA Civic and Community-Engaged Leadership and enroll in Play @UTSA Gamification Strategies Self-Paced Course to learn more.

• Let students know how the course material relates to life after college, even if it isn’t for a career. Remind them that writing, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, work ethic, and public speaking are essential to life after college.
• Take time to relate your learning outcomes to career options in your field. Highlight marketable skills from your field in your syllabus so that students can see what they will be expected to know and be able to do in their chosen career.
• Connect students to people outside of the university who can share their experiences. Invite professionals in the field to speak to your students.
• If there is an off-campus activity, make sure every student can participate. This means ensuring transportation needs are met and considering student family, work, and extracurricular commitments.
• Virtual reality activities can provide students with simulated workplace experiences where they can practice skills in a safe environment.
• Consider incorporating the following into your course to give students authentic credentials that can be highlighted in a portfolio or resume.
  • LinkedIn Learning at UTSA
  • Microcredentials at UTSA
    • Coursera Career Academy - access to microcredentials from Google, Meta, IBM, and other industry-leading, global companies.
    • Adobe Digital Academy - access to badges from Adobe to showcase skills and get noticed.
    • Badges at UTSA
• Create and share clear expectations for how you will evaluate students.
• Every experiential learning opportunity should have embedded reflection opportunities. Create a reflection assignment that asks students about their career aspirations and how your class might be useful for helping them meet their goals. Metacognition is an important part of the experiential learning process.
• Provide constructive and authentic feedback on student behavior, attitude, and professionalism, in addition to feedback on a final product or activity.
• Talk about internships in your field, particularly paid ones. Many students may see internships as hard to get or impossible because they need paid work. Help them find affordable options.
• Talk about the UTSA Career Center. Better yet, bring them into class.