The theme for Week 2 was Connect our students with activities, and the theme for Week 3 was Connect our students to resources. I see Week 5-Encourage Experiential Opportunities as being similar to these, but different. Similar in that it involves more than just reading books and articles, and more than just lectures-readings and lectures can certainly provide background for and enhance these experiences. Experiential opportunities often incorporate activities and resources, but experiential comes from experiences (obviously).
As a Professor I can facilitate and guide students to experiences that can stimulate their thinking and generate new ideas for them. Experiences I have facilitated are enabling Valdosta State University students to attend the National Association of Social Workers Advocacy and Lobby Days in Atlanta, Georgia, having students present and publish their work and linking MSW students with the Valdosta Affiliate of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for our annual political forum and Sister to Sister summit for middle school girls. I have also been an adviser of the Graduate Social Work Organization—currently I am a co-adviser. And, guest speakers are good too. Guests (even Skype guests) can bring new voices and faces to the classroom—new resources for the students.
These experiences are best when these are things the student wants to do or things the students come up with. Sometimes a learner does not know they want this experience until they have it, and sometimes students learn that once may be enough for them for some learning experiences. That is a big part of knowing what you want to do-knowing what you don’t want to do.
For a faculty it does take coordination and organization and these skills are different than providing course content and grading. I must say there are lots of moving parts when you plan experiential opportunities. And, sometimes there is risk and liability involved—it is always good to plan and communicate with others throughout your setting. It is amazing the things that can come up. We need each other for these experiences to be successfully executed.
As a social work educator, I have a lot to say about Experiential learning and even though I am not a field director, I have been a field liaison and field instructor. And, in social work—it is a true joy to see students and alumni contribute to their communities and profession. I am proud and honored that I can create these experiences and share with students. I am a lucky Professor!