Pre and post assessments are integral part of the experiential learning journey. They empower students to develop ownership of their own experiences making sense and creating meaning of the outcomes of this high impact practice from intentionality to reflection to action.
The outcomes of experiential learning can be varied and unpredictable. How one student chooses to solve a problem will be different from another student, and what one student takes away from an experience may differ for his or her peers. Also, in experiential learning, the process is as important as the final product. Therefore, we need to develop assessments that measure success in both the process and the product—each area may require separate learning outcomes and criteria (Schwartz, M. 2012).
To set about creating effective assessment methods, Qualters suggests asking the following:
Assessment also empowers the instructor, the facilitator, the educator.
When thinking about the role of the instructor in the experiential classroom (or any other settings), it can be helpful to ask several critical questions:
These questions can help instructors explore any pre-conceptions they might have, or discover areas in which they haven't fully relinquished control over learning (Chapman, McPhee, & Proudman, 1995, p. 243).
These two sets of essential questions can serve as a road map for designing experiential learning assessments. They can facilitate to define connections among experiential learning theory, practice, knowledge and impact.
501 E. High Street
Oxford, OH 45056
1601 University Blvd.
Hamilton, OH 45011
4200 N. University Blvd.
Middletown, OH 45042
7847 VOA Park Dr.
(Corner of VOA Park Dr. and Cox Rd.)
West Chester, OH 45069
Chateau de Differdange
1, Impasse du Chateau, L-4524 Differdange
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
217-222 MacMillan Hall
501 E. Spring St.
Oxford, OH 45056, USA