For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them, e.g. men become builders by building and lyre players by playing the lyre; so too we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts.
It can be tempting to think that experiential education is difficult to implement, or that we don’t do experiential learning in the Faculty of Humanities. However, as Aristotle reminds us, we often learn by doing. Providing students with experiential learning opportunities can promote a more holistic education, as students are able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Experiential education has many benefits for students and instructors, as well as the Faculty of Humanities more broadly.
Benefits for students
Increased motivation and engagement
By engaging in experiences outside of the classroom, students have the opportunity to draw connections between what they are learning in the classroom and real-world situations. This can lead to a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the course content, as well as a deeper appreciation for the surrounding community.
Experiential education can also help students develop their interests in other services and opportunities offered both by McMaster University and the broader community.
Clarifies post-graduation life
By engaging in authentic experiences and reflecting on those experiences, students can gain insight into the possible pathways available after graduation. After participating in a placement, for example, students may learn about a new career option that interests them. Alternatively, students may discover that something they were initially interested in is not a good fit for them as initially anticipated. In either case, students emerge from their academic program better prepared for life after graduation.
Develop skills for the future
Experiential education provides students the opportunity to develop career-relevant skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and oral and written communication. While these skills can also be developed through in-class activities and assignments, providing a career relevant context in which students practice and develop these skills can complement classroom-based learning.
Benefits for instructors
Increases instructor satisfaction
By engaging in authentic experiences and reflecting on those experiences, students often develop a deeper appreciation for course content. A deeper appreciation for course content can lead to more student engagement, which, in turn, has the potential to increase instructor satisfaction with their course and methods of teaching.
Deepens appreciation for course content
Learning about the experiences students engage in can help an instructor gain a deeper appreciation for their course content by considering the real-world applicability and relevance that their theoretical content has on the world. Moreover, learning about student experiences can also lead to stronger connections with community organizations.
Creates opportunities to evaluate and improve teaching practice
Experiential education provides instructors with an opportunity to innovate by applying theoretical content knowledge to real-world situations or problems. This can help keep the content fresh and invigorating for students, and allow instructors to improve their own teaching practice.
Benefits for the Faculty of Humanities
Promotes the value of a Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts can be highly desirable. Over the course of their disciplinary degrees, students from the Faculty of Humanities develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. Experiential learning opportunities enable students to showcase these valuable skillsets, and thereby improve the standing and recognition of a Humanities education.
Showcases student skills to the broader community
By engaging in experiential learning opportunities, students can showcase their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. This can make students more attractive to potential employers, and it can help raise the standing of the Faculty of Humanities in the community.
Bolsters recruitment efforts
At recruitment events, prospective students often ask about experiential learning opportunities, especially options for work-integrated learning. Employment prospects are an important consideration when choosing which postsecondary institutions to attend, and students want to know that they will develop career-relevant skills that they can leverage after graduation. By developing new and innovative experiential learning opportunities, the Faculty of Humanities can attract more students.