The Power of Experiential Learning

The Power of Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is an amazing tool and one that vocational agricultural programs utilize in a powerful way for today's high school students. Colorado State University Agricultural Education Instructor Nathan Clark says

Clark: "We found that students learn best when they not only have an opportunity to not only hear about topics and things but also get their hands on pieces and manipulate it and do some things with opportunities and skills within agriculture. So experiential learning is great because it takes the opportunity for students to learn about something in the classroom then go out and do it. Then come back to the classroom and really reflect on what they did connects with what they are doing in class but also in the rest of their lives. So it is a great way for students to make a true connection and be purposeful in their learning and be engage in what they are trying to do. Really exposing students to the breadth of what agriculture has to offer."

Clark says the ag industry employers are expecting their future employees to not only have book knowledge of agriculture but always wanting employees that have experiential learning as well.

Clark: "So if you think about it, if you have been able to live the experience — more than just see it on a screen or in a classroom. So if you live it, it sinks in. You can talk intelligently about it. You can come from a platform of understanding. So the industry really loves a student or a young employee that comes from a platform of understanding — that they have lived it."

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