What's New in Academics?
The Student Experience
IU Southeast students on a Geology Trip to Utah.
IU Southeast Falls of the Ohio Trip.
Buckle Up for the IU Southeast Student Experience – Experiential Learning and Excursions
Walking along the Woodland Loop Trail at the Falls of the Ohio State Park, an environmental conservation class student spotted the tell-tale white flowers of the garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis) plant – an invasive species that is widespread in the Ohio Valley. She quickly performed her analysis of the plant and took copious notes before rejoining her group.
This is just one example of how IU Southeast’s student experience has expanded to include off-campus excursions and experiential learning opportunities that better prepare students for their future careers.
One student remarked, "this field trip was very fun and it was nice to be able to get some real-life examples of invasive species, a topic we have been discussing in class. We were able to see real life organisms and talk with an expert on how these different species affect our ecosystem. As a visual and active learner, this really helps me grasp the content we have been discussing in class and relate it to my own life.”
What is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning goes deeper than just “hands on” learning – it actively involves learning through the reflection on doing. These real-life experiences or excursions immerse a student in an active learning environment and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills. Another component of experiential learning is providing opportunities to help students explore career options, build professional networks and gain real world experience in their chosen field.
“We have always had experiential learning on our campus,” said Donna Dahlgren, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor of academic affairs, and professor of psychology. “It was primarily introduced during a student’s senior year. The big difference now is that it is interwoven into freshman, sophomore and junior years – making sure students have these experiences in an applied setting. We also really want students to get a glimpse of their profession in the real world – starting from freshman year on.”
Beginning in Fall of 2021, funding became available for faculty to create meaningful and memorable excursions for students. Highlights include:
- A playwriting class screened one-act plays in the Robinson Theater.
- Petrology students visited the Great Smokey Mountains National Park region and the Clement Mineral Museum, writing field reports over the experiences.
- Students attended the Creative South Conference where they were exposed to leaders in the field of graphic design.
- Students went on an African American Heritage Tour in Indiana and Kentucky.
- Students attended Create NYC – a digital arts photography conference where they gained professional contacts and networked with up and coming visual artists.
- Psychology students toured the Louisville Zoo and learned how the bears are trained using operant conditioning to facilitate safe handling for routine care.
Students visited firms in Louisville and Cincinnati to meet industry employers in the Accounting and Finance areas.
IU Southeast student on a Geology Trip to Utah.
Learning Communities Create Unique Experiences
Dahlgren also points to flexible learning communities that can provide unique collaborations. IU Southeast learning communities consist of two paired courses that meet the needs of first-year and transfer students. Faculty teaching these courses create a common theme and activities.
One example was a team up of Ken Harris, Ph.D. and professor of management, along with Mildred Vernia, M.B.A and professor of mathematics, who took their learning community (Intro to Business and Math for Business classes) on an excursion to Samtech, an international technology company headquartered in New Albany, Indiana. Students got a tour of Samtech, were presented with all the different career options available and had the opportunity to network and build relationships for the future.
“Sometimes our students come to college and they don't know the types of opportunities that are out there,” said Dahlgren. “These trips out of the classroom make sure that they get their eyes opened well before they graduate so they know the types of companies to research for the type of job that they want in the future.”
IU Southeast student Rae with Peppa the horse at Pine Ridge Reservation.
Students Want More Applied Learning Opportunities
A growing trend among college students is a desire to not only gain practical experience but also to strengthen their communities. Recent examples include:
- Dr. Julia Ann Mattingly and five nursing students participated in a service learning trip at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, Tennessee. As part of the Remote Area Medical (RAM) free pop-up clinic, students gained experience in triaging; providing assistance in the medical, dental, and vision areas; giving vaccines; and other duties as needed.
- Kelli Dehr Bernedo, Ph.D. and assistant professor and coordinator of ENL/ESL education, took students to attend Kentucky Teachers of a Second Language Conference.
- Collaboration between a psychology class and a local homeless shelter highlights the breadth of opportunities psychologists can have in their communities beyond the traditional therapy model.
The Bottomline – Students Have a Better Experience
“One of the biggest benefits of offering experiential learning excursions is being able to see things from a slightly different perspective,” said Dahlgren. “You see your professor from a different perspective outside the classroom, seeing a career from a different angle, and seeing the field in an applied setting. It is impactful in a way that is more than you get from simply reading a book or seeing a film in class. It gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves fully in a topic which gives them a better overall learning experience.”
Alumni interested in offering an experiential learning opportunity or excursion to students can contact Donna Dahlgren at ddahlgre@ius.edu or call (812) 941-2682.