Experiential Learning and Research

Experiential Learning and Research

Experiential learning continues to be part of our core mandate, both in our experiential learning curricular and co-curricular offerings. We believe that students benefit greatly from engaging directly in workplaces and communities where they can apply their learning in real-world contexts, develop key competencies, gain a deeper understanding of complex social issues, and collaborate with others toward community capacity building.

Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as “learning through reflection on doing”.

Experiential learning can exist with limited input from a teacher as it relates primarily to the process of the students direct experience.  This process includes:

  • knowledge–the concepts, facts, and information acquired through formal learning and past experience;
  • activity–the application of knowledge to a “real world” setting; and
  • reflection–the analysis and synthesis of knowledge and activity to create new knowledge

CIEEL – Centre for International Educational Experiential Learning

CIEEL is an experiential learning platform that supports and develops innovations and good case practices for the development and contribution of experiential education around the world.

CIEEL programs include; Experiential EducationResearch & Publications.

CIEEL India courses are designed to develop experiential knowledge and conceptual understanding to topics that are specifically related EduCARE India field work.  The purpose of these courses is to support the integration of theory and practice whilst fostering personal and professional development.  Through participating in organised community engagement activities, students will better understand course content and gain a broader appreciation of the topic overall.  These courses are an integrated part of all EduCARE India projects and internships.

These courses are based on an experiential learning model.  Experiential education is the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as “learning through reflection on doing.”

CIEEL courses range from 8-12 weeks in duration and include course materials, videos and academic articles.  Weekly field work activities are conducted and shared through the online forum.  The forum enables all interns to interact with each other by exchanging ideas and discussing topics related to a certain weekly theme.  The aim of the forum activities is to promote critical thinking, knowledge construction and cross centre peer-to-peer learning.

Current courses include:

  • Environmental Health
  • Community Development
  • Cross Cultural Competency
  • Microfinance
  • Gender rights and equality
  • Water Sanitation
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Poverty alleviation