Learning by doing: Departmental-wide reflection on incorporating experiential-learning across the curriculum

Abstract

Experiential-learning (EL), which captures a broad range of pedagogies, is a process where students learn by connecting experience to curriculum. More simply, EL provides students opportunities to learn by doing. Guided reflection, in conjunction with the experience, bridges the activity with course learning outcomes. Faculty teaching in the Department of Criminal Justice at FHSU made EL and the process of reflection a priority, incorporating pedagogies that include, but not limited to, service-learning, problem-based learning, and community-based research. This study demonstrates three innovative approaches to experiential-learning, including reflection, facilitated in criminal justice courses.