Experiential Learning 101
What is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning is an educational approach that emphasizes learning through direct experience, reflection, and application. Rather than relying solely on traditional classroom instruction, experiential learning encourages students to engage in hands-on activities, real-world experiences, and active participation in their learning process.
Experiential learning can take many forms, including internships, fieldwork, service-learning projects, simulations, role-playing exercises, group discussions, and collaborative projects. It’s often used to complement traditional classroom instruction, providing students with opportunities to deepen their understanding, develop critical thinking skills, and gain practical experience relevant to their field of study or future career aspirations.
Who uses experiential learning?
All MBC/HIM students should engage in experiential learning. We offer and announce various activities, events, experiences, and trips that students can take part in throughout the year. However, HIM Associate degree students must complete externship hours that conclude at the end of their program.
HIM Associate degree students start HIM courses after completing the MBC certificate (first 5 modules) as part of a stackable program. To help them get ready for supervised experiential learning activities, we place HIM students in the Externship Success Guide (ESG) Module (also called the PPE Prep Module). We add students to this module as early as module 2 but no later than module 7 of their program rotation (see image). This module guides the student through everything needed to prepare for externship activities. Students stay in the ESG Module until all externship requirements are completed and finalized in the capstone course (module 10).
How do you prepare?
HIM degree seeking students have resources to help them prepare for externship activities including the SEL Student Handbook, the Externship Success Guide (ESG) Module (aka PPE Prep Module), the Experiential Learning Corner webpage and the SEL Team. If you need help with these resources, have more questions, or concerns about the requirements, email the SEL team at ppe@bryanuniversity.edu.
Experiential Learning and your Resume
- Repurposing your college experiences on your resume
- How can experiential learning help you stand out on your resume?
- How do you format and organize your experiential learning section on your internship resume?
AHIMA Career Map
The AHIMA Career Map features in-depth information about the many career options for HIM professionals. It includes salary study results, job data, and self-assessments to measure your readiness for a new role.
