The Experiential Learning workshop series is designed in a sequence that scaffolds Experiential Learning concepts. Each workshop ranges in length from two to three hours and provides participants with practical, real-world experiences to enhance their capacity by improving their understanding, application and evaluation of Experiential Learning.

Inquiry-Based Learning and the Experiential Learning Cycle

This workshop reinforces the concepts of Experiential Learning and the Learning Cycle, but also introduces inquiry-based learning, making a distinction between hands-on Experiential Learning and hands-on Experiential Learning using inquiry.

The workshop will:

1) Assist participants in distinguishing between a hands-on educational experience that does not involve inquiry, and a hands-on educational experience that is inquiry-based.

2) Introduce/reinforce participants' understanding of the Experiential Learning cycle.

3) Engage participants in developing skills and competencies relating to evaluating environmental education programs utilizing the learning cycle of experiential education.

This workshop will focus on strengthening the skills of educators to embed inquiry into experiential learning. Through a fun, interactive/experiential format, exploration through hands-on activities and numerous opportunities for sharing and reflection, participants will gain knowledge and skill on the differences and importance of experiential learning and inquiry.

Developing and Adapting Curricula to Integrate Experiential Learning

Workshop III applies the concepts from Workshop II by engaging participants in evaluating existing curricula to determine if they utilize Experiential Learning and/or inquiry methods. The workshop teaches the "Backward Design" approach (Wiggins and McTighe, 1998) to modify curriculum materials to incorporate Experiential Learning and inquiry methods.

The workshop will:

Introduce/reinforce participants' understanding of the Experiential Learning (EL) cycle and Inquiry.
Allow participants to apply the concepts of Experiential Learning and Inquiry to existing programs and activities.
Engage participants developing skills and competencies relating to designing, education programs utilizing the learning cycle of experiential education.

The workshop will utilize hands-on activities and structured opportunities for reflection, modeling through practice, and coaching from workshop facilitators along with presentation of theory and pedagogy.

Instructors:

Martin H. Smith

Associate Specialist in Cooperative Extension

Martin Smith is a Cooperative Extension Specialist at the University of California - Davis. His work involves extensive research and development in the areas of educator professional development and curriculum design. He has developed and published numerous professional development models that emphasize experiential learning and inquiry and focus on scaffolding educators' knowledge and skills over time through the use of multiple workshops. Some models have also incorporated different distance learning strategies. His current research in professional development is centered on the use of Communities of Practice and Lesson Study with educators in non formal settings.

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty

Youth Development Advisor: Science, Engineering and Technology
University of California Cooperative Extension - Santa Cruz County

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty is a Youth Development Advisor in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her work centers on building the capacity of non formal educators to deliver science, engineering and technology programs to youth using experiential learning and inquiry, and assessing the impacts and outcomes of these programs on the community. Additionally, Lynn also works extensively in the areas of leadership, youth and volunteer development.