Why Experiential Learning Matters More Than Ever
More parents are seeking schools that offer experiential learning opportunities, as kids do not all learn the same way. This is why it is so important for parents to identify what type of learner their child is so that they can choose a school that caters to their specific needs. By doing this, parents are giving their teens a solid educational foundation that will carry them through life.
What Is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning is an opportunity for students to learn by doing. This can be handled in several ways, but at Olney Friends School, we believe in providing hands-on experience for our students through our farm program. Students join the Farm Team, choosing to take part in our animal or vegetable crews. Through these activities, students have the opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture, livestock care, organic farming, and food production.
Our transdisciplinary curriculum allows students to connect agriculture, science, and mathematics with real-life experiences. They get to witness the topics that they are taught being put into use on our 350-acre campus. We are USDA-certified and grow over 20 certified organic crops. Participating in the Farm Team enables students to see food production from the field to the table, providing them with a deeper understanding of the process of growing and harvesting food.
What Do Students Gain From Experiential Learning?
Every aspect of our campus provides learning opportunities for students. Teens who learn better through a hands-on approach will greatly benefit when attending Olney.
Students benefit in several ways when learning through experiences.
- Hands-on experiences provide a better understanding of the curriculum.
- Community is viewed as an asset through hands-on learning.
- Students can enhance their skills, interests, passion, and values through this type of learning.
- More opportunities for collaboration are presented, allowing students to improve social and problem-solving skills.
- Students leave high school more prepared for the real world.
- Students will get a sense of achievement when they complete projects and meet the needs of their community.
- Experience also helps improve students’ self-confidence and leadership skills.
Hands-On Education
Hands-on learning offers students a skill set that traditional learning does not. Students can connect lessons to real-life scenarios, which means they are gaining a deeper understanding of the curriculum they are being taught.
Promoting Curiosity and Exploration
The digital age has stifled imagination and curiosity because everything is readily available at our fingertips. Experiential learning promotes curiosity and creativity through exploration. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, conduct experiments, and explore topics more thoroughly outside the classroom. This approach helps enhance independent learning while creating a deeper understanding of the subjects.
Personalized Learning Paths
Learning through experience is a more flexible way of learning. Students will be more engaged with lessons and be able to explore topics more effectively. By providing students with experiences, they will gain a more personalized learning module. As a result, students will be more engaged in the topics that they are learning. Students will learn in a way that is best suited to their abilities and interests.
Future-Ready Skills
Gaining real-life experience will greatly help students succeed beyond the classroom. These experiences shine when applying for higher education. Rather than being a passive recipient of the topics that are being taught, students become active participants. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are enhanced and encouraged in an experiential learning environment.
Multidisciplinary Learning
Experiential learning helps integrate multiple subjects, enabling students to find connections between science, technology, art, social sciences, and many other disciplines. When teens engage in meaningful experiences, they can develop practical skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the topics being taught.
Learning Through Experiences
Experiences can be created in various ways, including gardening and farming, nature hikes, hands-on exhibits, interactive workshops, and even role-playing activities. Through experiences, students can easily comprehend what they are being taught while fostering essential skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Students are encouraged to become directly involved in the learning process. This type of learning not only promotes engagement but also helps motivate students to learn and enjoy the process.
Knowledge Retention
Hands-on experiences help students develop a deeper understanding of the topics being taught, while also encouraging them to retain the information that they learn. When you learn by doing, you have a higher success rate of remembering the information that is taught.
Boost Self-Awareness and Confidence
Students gain a greater sense of achievement through hands-on learning. This improves their confidence by participating in purposeful work. The greater responsibilities our students have, the prouder they are of the results. This creates individuals who are connected to their work and invested in the outcome, developing a lifelong love of learning.
Fostering Experiential Learning At Olney Friends School
Olney offers an exceptional learning experience for our students. We present opportunities to immediately apply the knowledge that is learned. This allows students to gain a deeper appreciation for the lessons that are being taught and their community.
Schedule your campus tour today to discover how we can provide your teen a high-quality education with our experiential learning methods.
