6 Types of Experiential Learning at Concordia University

Experiential learning prepares the next generation to address society's challenges.

At Concordia University, we believe in the transformative power of experiential learning. By engaging students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they’re better able to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations, face society’s challenges, and respond to the labour needs of a rapidly changing world.

As a student at Concordia, there are plenty of ways you can participate in experiential learning throughout your degree. Check out these six types of experiential learning that’s available to you, along with the many different options under each type.

1. Course-integrated learning

Put theory into practice within or outside of the classroom when you take a course with hands-on learning. These classes include labs, simulations, capstone projects, studio work, performances or exhibits, where you apply what you’ve learned and show what you can do.

• Artistic performances/exhibits: Drama, dance, music or visual arts events, exhibitions or performances designed to showcase artistic work or creative processes. Can allow students to gain experience with careers in the arts.
• Capstone project: A final year project that integrates what students have learned and requires application of theory.
• Course-integrated project: As part of a course, projects based in the community or in industry designed to apply some course material to a real-world problem.
• Hands-on workshops: Provide direct experience and active learning with a new skill, tool or technology. Often shorter than a course, ranging from a few hours to several days.
• Laboratory/clinics: Hands-on application of class concepts through observation, measurement, testing and experimentation. Can be scientific or non-scientific.
• Practicum: course in which a portion consists of a practical training in which theory is put into practice.
• Simulations: Sometimes computer-based, simulations engage students interactively to apply prior knowledge and experiment to solve realistic problems.

2. Work-integrated learning

Put your skills to work! Take what you are learning in the classroom into the real world of work, by doing an internship, co-op work term, a clinical placement, or as a teaching assistant.

• Institute for Co-operative Education: A work-study program where students alternate between a paid work term in a workplace and a study term on campus. Students graduate with three to four work terms. The Co-op programs are very well integrated in skill-based structured programs where students acquire different levels of skills during their studies.
• Apprenticeship: A combination of on-the-job training and learning in a classroom where students are trained to gain relevant knowledge towards their profession, over a prolonged period of time.
• Clinical placement: Offers students comprehensive practicum training in their field at university-based clinics or at an external facility.
• Internship: The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification, or to share expertise in service to the community.
• Student teaching: Students take on the role and responsibilities of a professional teacher. May be part of a practicum and is often included in teacher training or education programs.
• Teaching assistantship: Offers mainly graduate students the opportunity to teach or co-teach university classes. Responsibilities may include facilitating discussions, supervising labs, responding to student questions and grading coursework.
• Camp counselling: Students who train and work as camp counsellors gain experience planning and leading programs and activities for children in a small group setting.

3. Research-based learning

If you’re interested in research and advancing knowledge in your field, you can gain research experience as an undergraduate or graduate student. Contribute new knowledge to your field by becoming a research assistant or working on a major research project.

• Major research projects: Represent significant, original work in theoretical or applied research, usually at the graduate level. Students can gain experience leading a research project while preparing for future academic work or research-related careers.
• Research assistantships: Offer students the opportunity to gain research experience by participating in projects or studies conducted by faculty members, university-affiliated research centres and groups, or university administration. Students may also co-author papers with members of the project team, present at conferences, or conduct independent research.
• Undergraduate research projects: Can include research, participatory research, or research-creation work that accompanies undergraduate coursework and prepares students for graduate studies or careers in research.
• Participatory action research: An approach that involves the participation of the community in order to co-develop research programs for the purpose of taking action.

4. Community-based learning

Put your theory into practice and see real world challenges up close by getting engaged in the community through volunteering, service learning, or community-based research.

• Competitions: Students compete to solve real-world cases or respond to challenges. Students may gain practical experience, presentation skills and networking opportunities. Competitions also encourage innovation, build community and promote collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
• Volunteer positions: Can range from one-time volunteering to long-term positions, and from individual student commitments to whole-class projects. Students learn accountability to the community while applying and reflecting on their personal, professional and academic work.
• Service learning: Often a required part of a course, service learning is field-based and students are in service to the community. There is balanced attention paid to the service and to the learning. They share and/or develop their expertise while learning from and with the community. They achieve some personal growth and become more informed and engaged members of the community.
• Social action research: An approach that involves the participation of the community in order to solve a problem.

5. International learning

Expand your horizons and your education by going global through an exchange program, a field school, an internship, or research overseas.

• Field school: Students study in an off-campus setting, often international, in which they take courses (for credit or not for credit) in a field of study that is relevant to their course of study.
• International internships: Students gain work experience related to their studies while living in another country. Internships can promote collaboration and prepare students for the dynamics of a diverse workforce and international careers.
• Study abroad: Students study at a partner institution in another country to gain credits toward their degree.

6. Learning through student life on campus

Develop your leadership and skills by getting involved in student life on campus which includes student groups, competitions, festivals, and events.

• Design challenges: Students develop technologically innovative work, entrepreneurial ideas, or projects that enact social change to design and implement solutions to existing challenges. May involve partnering with an external group, such as a community organization.
• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial experiences allow students to develop or apply an innovative business plan. Students can increase knowledge and proficiency in starting a company and may lead to a personal business venture.
• Event organization: Offers students experience in planning and executing events.
• Mentorships: Learning partnerships that pair students with professionals. Students may receive guidance, take part in job shadowing, or work alongside mentors in internships or placements to prepare for a career in their field.
• Student societies: Associations, groups and clubs on campus organize a wide range of activities for students, including conferences, speakers, social events, volunteering, competitions and other projects. Societies include cultural, religious, social and academic groups. Students can explore interests and gain skills.

Concordia University is committed to broadening access to high-impact forms of experiential learning, with the commitment that every undergraduate student graduates with one experiential learning experience, and at least two experiential learning experiences by 2025.