What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is the process by which a student learns through experiences and reflection. Experiential learning often takes the form of work-based learning and community service programs.

Many school districts across the U.S. either require their students to complete some form of community service or work-based learning hours in order to graduate, or they recognize these hours in the form of graduation seals.

Service learning and civic engagement have been proven to be a developmental necessity for students. Engaging in their communities fosters personal growth, nurtures emotional maturity, cultivates leadership skills, and more! These outcomes are valued by educators for their role in enhancing students' achievements beyond graduation. 

How to Offer Experiential Learning in Your District

There are several ways districts offer experiential learning opportunities to students:

• Creating a culture of service: Establishing a culture of service in your district makes it easy for students and educators to engage deeply with their community and understand how their service directly impacts others. If your district is looking into or planning on making experiential learning a key part of your district's mission, check out our blog How To Establish a Culture In Your District for a deeper dive into how districts can not only motivate students but also make civic engagement and volunteering part of their framework!
• Service learning in the classroom: Service learning is a method that combines community service projects with academic curriculum. Educators select service projects that complement the curriculum, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Encourage students to reflect on the service they provided to foster a deeper understanding of their impact. Service learning has been found to help deepen critical thinking skills and improve student outcomes, attendance, and engagement. 
• Service days: If your district already incorporates experiential learning into its mission but aims to deepen student involvement in in-school service activities, explore our 5 Tips for Crafting a Day of Service at Your School from Allen High School. This guide shares their top strategies for organizing a meaningful on-campus day of service, making it easy for students to engage in their communities. 
• Work-based learning programs: Work-based learning (WBL) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide students with hands-on experiences in professional settings, opportunities for skill development, career exploration, and personal growth. A successful WBL program can significantly improve student outcomes by setting them on a path to success. Learn how to create successful programs on our page What Is Work-Based Learning in Schools? and check out our blog 4 Benefits of Work-Based Learning For Student Success. 
• Graduation requirements: Many schools and districts require students to complete a certain amount of service hours in order to graduate. This sets a standard for what they expect of their students and fosters a culture of service within the school/district. If your school or district has trouble engaging students in service, setting up graduation requirements for service provides an incentive for students and instills a sense of responsibility and commitment to helping their community. Learn more about How Reflections Play a Role in Student Development and Service Learning in our blog! 

How Districts Can Track and Report on Experiential Learning

x2VOL works with schools across the nation to engage students in meaningful service and WBL opportunities to improve student outcomes. As the leading tracking and reporting platform in K12, x2VOL can support your school and students! Establish requirements, track hours, capture student reflections, and generate reports all within the easy-to-use and mobile-friendly x2VOL platform! 

To hear directly from a district, check out our Cincinnati Public Schools Case Study to learn about their WBL and CTE programs, and how x2VOL helps improve student outcomes.

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