Experiential Learning Showcase Series: Opening Doors to Teaching Innovation

The CTL and CESL invite to join the launch of the Experiential Learning Showcase Series, a new series highlighting experiential learning across campus. The first session, taking place on March 10, 2026, will offer a broader, program-level perspective on experiential learning. This will be followed by a second and a third session on March 30, and April 8, 2026, respectively which will focus on more courses and class-specific examples and practices.

Session Description

Barclay Dahlstrom and Korinne Lott will provide an overview of experiential and service-learning within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies. Students are given a taste of this type of learning in first year and are offered several experiential/service-learning focused course options by third year. The KHS degree programs are designed to culminate in a 560-hour fieldwork experience. The integration of these experiences has ensured that our students meet all 9 KHS graduate attributes.

Colleen Strauch explores how experiential learning can be intentionally designed to advance both course-level and program-level learning outcomes. Rather than treating experiential learning as an add-on or enrichment activity, the session will focus on how applied, community-engaged, and work-integrated learning can be strategically embedded within curricula to deepen student learning and program impact. In the session, Colleen will discuss how experiential learning supports skills such as critical thinking, professional identity formation, and civic and ethical engagement, while also meeting learning outcomes and assessment expectations. Drawing on examples from a community-based, nonprofit-focused program, the session will offer practical experiences from aligning experiential activities with learning outcomes and for scaffolding experiential learning across a program to support skill development and meaningful student learning.