Experiential Learning at UD

By Jamie Morris

Since 2017, the Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) has hosted “EL Lab” workshops in which UD students from diverse backgrounds and majors gather to dialogue about their various EL experiences (internships, co-ops, community-engaged learning, education abroad, etc). They reflect on what they’ve learned through EL and create “learning journey roadmaps” to visually depict their unique learning pathways.

Due to COVID-19, the OEL partnered with Aviate to create a virtual, path-point eligible EL Lab which includes both synchronous meetings and asynchronous modules. Aviate integrates the residential curriculum and the housing assignments process for students engaging in campus partner opportunities in which they are rewarded with path-points that will impact their housing selection for the following year. First and second-year students were specially invited to attend the virtual EL Lab module, through which they had the opportunity to watch an EL learning journey roadmap video created by OEL student Jamie Morris.  The students responded to reflection questions, created their own EL roadmaps on paper in order to receive a path point. 

Over 350 students participated in the first virtual EL Lab module and created their own learning journey roadmaps., which was more than the OEL could have imagined. After getting such great responses from students, the OEL team was able to answer some of their questions regarding EL. The OEL partnered with Career Services and Education Abroad (CIP) to help answer some of the most commonly asked questions and how they are trying to help students participate in EL. Click here to learn more about how to get involved with EL. Below are examples of some of the roadmaps created by students in the EL virtual lab:

Each roadmap depicts the most impactful lessons and experiences students have been through during their time at UD. These roadmaps depict first and second-year students' experiences that have gotten them to where they are today which helps them determine what they want to do in the future. These roadmaps show how different their experiences and journeys are but also how they follow the same principles of EL to further their lives and careers. As students ponder their educational and professional pathways beyond the pandemic, EL will have shaped their journey.