Embedding Experiential Learning at Lorain County Community College

Ohio Means Internships and Co-ops

C L AU D I A A . LU B A S K I , C PA , C M A , C F E A S S O C I AT E P R O F E S S O R A C C O U N T I N G M A R C I A J O N E S , M . E D .

M A N A G E R , C A R E E R S E R V I C E S LO R A I N C O U N T Y C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E

Embedding Experiential Learning (EL) in Academic Programs at Lorain County Community College 1.

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Define Experiential Learning Both in Quality and Quantity Determine The Value to all Stakeholders Securing Campus-wide Faculty Acceptance Curriculum Council Recommendation to Provost Provost Approval

1. Define: What is Experiential Learning?

     At first this seemed simple: Experiential Learning are activities embedded within courses that provide students with direct engagement in learning experiences that promote academic relevance, meaning, and an understanding of real-world issues. Such experiences include but are not limited to:  Required fieldwork Internships, practica, field work and co-ops Student teaching Clinicals Service Learnings But what about other practical experiences that apply course concepts to a real-world context not included in the traditional definitions?

2. What is the value of Experiential Learning?

A report issued by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) identified Experiential Learning as a “high impact” educational practice that improved student engagement and persistence, especially for under-prepared college students.

What is the Value of Experiential Learning?

“ The effects of participating in high-impact practices are positive for all types of students But, historically underserved students tend to benefit more from engaging in educational purposeful activities than majority students. Sadly . . . some groups of historically underserved students are less likely to participate in high-impact activities—those first in their family to attend college and African American students in particular.” (27) Kuh, George D. “High Impact Educational Practices.” AACU. 2008

Lorain County Community College Experiential Learning Team  Team of 23 members with 17 members being faculty began in October 2012 with the Guiding Principle:  Do not create undue burden on the student and  Each student has the opportunity to take a course with an experiential learning component  And the task to :  Contextualize Instruction  Use program-specific content especially in the applied programs to make basic skills relevant and engaging

Timeline and Meetings  Two years of monthly meetings trying to define EL and then making presentations to:  Faculty as profession development during Convocation  Faculty Senate Executive Committee   Entire Faculty Senate Dean’s Council   Program Coordinators Academic Divisions via Curriculum Council rep  Curriculum Council for recommendation to the Provost for final approval

Defining Experiential Learning

Tier I

 Internships  Co-Ops  Practica  Clinical  Field Work  Student Teaching  Service Learning

Tier II

Classroom Based EL Experiences that are:  15 hours with a recommendation of 3-5 in the classroom and 10-12 outside (Quantity) of the classroom  Followed the NSEE Guidelines (Quality)  EL embedded in two or more courses within a program of study

Adopting from: The National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE)

Guidelines

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Authenticity and Intent 2.

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Preparedness and Planning Reflection Orientation and Training Monitoring and Continuous Improvement Assessment and Evaluation Acknowledgment

EL Designation at LCCC EL designation attached to courses so it appears on transcript  Job seeking benefits. EL can bridge the gap between the classroom and job which to some employers is important.

  Catalog description To give students knowledge of course content  Data tracking

Lessons Learned  Initial Committee was too large and/or should have involved program coordinators earlier in the timeline  Provide plenty of research to faculty  Don’t assume presenting a professional development session informs faculty  Keep the momentum going  Be willing to compromise  Use a dashboard to visual success  As a team leader, be prepared to embed EL upon approval

LCCC Success

10% 0% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100

College wide Program % Experiential Learning

Resources

AACU High Impact Practices http://www.neasc.org/downloads/aacu_high_impact_2008_final.pdf

National Society for Experiential Education http://www.nsee.org/

Building a Campus Culture that Values Experiential Learning (EL)

 Second Annual Career Week.  Holland Career Parties, Employer Site Visits, Division driven activities and info sessions, broad-based Marketing Campaign, Classroom Assignments, etc.  Embedding Internships into industry driven short term training programs i.e. Right Skills Now and other grant activity (STMA, TAACCCT, RITE).

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Building a Campus Culture that Values Experiential Learning (EL)

Meetings with Faculty from Engineering, Business and IT Division to explore embedding internships and co-ops into 1-2 additional Programs of Study.   Second Annual Internship Fair Second Annual Experiential Learning Celebration featuring student exhibits, faculty and student presentation, and luncheon.

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Sustainability

LCCC Employer Guarantee  Strengthens connections between internships/co-ops as key component of LCCC’s Talent Planning consulting services  Launch Train-the-Trainer and web-based tools and resources for Return on Internship (ROI)  Faculty Certificate Program for EL and Learner Completion  Secure funding to keep PT Placement Specialist

Questions ?