Experiential Education Means Hands-on Opportunities
Experiential Education, or EE, is a hands-on approach to learning in which you participate in practical activities and then reflect on those experiences using the concepts and theories learned from your program. Whether it’s inside the classroom, out in the community or at work, EE helps you deepen your learning and develop important professional and life skills, such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and civic engagement.
Check out York’s interactive EE Guide to learn about experiential education and the great tools that can help you be successful in all your EE activities.
In the Classroom
Revive your typical classroom learning experience by integrating a variety of unique hands-on learning methods, like interacting with guest speakers, participating in workshops or interviewing environmental field experts.
Check out what our students experienced during their recent field studies, Learning the Bruce.
In the Community
Community-Based Learning (CBL)
Revive your typical classroom.
Community-Based Research (CBR)
Take your classroom out into the community.
Community Service Learning (CSL)
Connect your classroom learning to professional development skills within the workplace, through placements and volunteer initiatives.
In the Workplace
Be Career Ready! Earn credits while working for one of our amazing community partners.
We want to ensure our students are career ready. In preparation for graduation, we provide the opportunity for students to develop in-demand professional working skills and competencies with partner organizations through work placements.
Students earn credit by working with community organizations and demonstrating autonomy and professional capacity, while learning to link their concrete experience with course theory.
Benefits of Experiential Education
Experiential education takes a diverse path to develop and strengthen essential skills and qualities related to students’ academic performance, civic engagement and employability. What will you get out of it?
Positive Academic Performance
Enhanced knowledge acquisition that will improve your academic performance
Applying course concepts and theories to practical, real-world scenarios
Stronger oral and written communication, team collaboration, leadership and critical thinking skills
Civic Engagement
Improved attitudes toward social responsibility, respect and tolerance for diversity
The opportunity to be involved in community projects while putting course theory into practice
Employability
Defining possible career interests and career plans
Increased personal marketability when beginning your career search after graduation, with improved job search strategies, interviewing experience, and resume and cover letter writing
Professional networking opportunities within your field of study
Quick Links
Improve your effectiveness and efficiency at studying and completing assignments.
Information about EE, what to expect in your EE courses and resources to help you progress as a learner.
Learn more about EE across the University and hear about students' experiences with EE.
Resources on blended learning, web-enhanced learning and other ways eLearning is incorporated in your courses.