Experiential Learning at WGU

Process and documentation for implementing experiential education at Western Governors University

 

About Experiential Learning

Experiential learning (EL) provides students with real, modern situations by working with companies and non-profit organizations. Via hands on activities and reflection, students are able to acquire valuable 21st century skills. EL has been shown to improve student learning, degree completion, and career readiness.

Our Process for Facilitating PBL

Program Mentor Timeline

Due Date

Responsible Party

Topic/Action Item 

Delivery Mechanism

3/10

MSML Leadership with WGU labs & SOC Research

Present to MSML Mentors on results of first cohort, plans for 2nd cohort and timeline

Live Meeting 

3/10 – 3/16

Mentors

Review the FAQ documents on the Experiential Learning website and post questions in the D227 MS Teams space 

Website links and MS Teams space 

3/16 – 3/31

Mentors 

Mentors can begin to socialize the opportunity with new students (explain prerequisites and that it is only a possibility) and ask questions to D227 team in preparation  

Live student calls and during onboarding calls

Week of 3/22

L’Erin & Kristin 

Provide completed video link for mentors to preview prior to student release 

Send via email and shared in MS Teams

4/1 

L’Erin & Kristin 

Send mentors a list of eligible students that are being sent the experiential learning course information 

Send via email 

4/1

L’Erin & Kristin

Send intro email with video link to potential students – highlighting the experience and have a link that sends them to the website created by SOC with all the necessary FAQs and resources

Send via template

4/1 – 4/13

Students & Mentors 

Students review the video and resources on the website. 

Mentors Review the list of students eligible for the D227 course and engage in conversations with those students to support decision making by 4/14

Live one-on-one calls with students 

Week of 4/5

Mentors & Students

Attend Weekly Orientation Session (Attendance only required for students one time prior to course start and mentor attendance is optional

Invites sent by SOC team

Week of 4/8

L’Erin & Kristin

Reminder email sent to students w/ sign-up link and website

Sent via template

Week of 4/12

Mentors & Students

Attend Weekly Orientation Session (Attendance only required for students one time prior to course start and mentor attendance is optional

Invites sent by SOC team

4/13

L’Erin & Kristin

Reminder email – Last call to register for D227

Sent via template

4/14

Students 

Deadline for students to commit to D227

Link will send to Smartsheet

4/15

L’Erin & Kristin 

Start student validation and cohort selection 

 

4/16

L’Erin & Jonathan 

Send students surveys and paperwork to be completed – include website link

Send mentors a list of final D227 cohort 

Email with paperwork and send mentors about student interest

4/16 – 4/21

Students

Begin submitting paperwork – project selection and legal docs

 

Week of 4/19

Mentors & Students

Attend Weekly Orientation Session (Attendance only required for students one time prior to course start and mentor attendance is optional

Invites sent by SOC team

4/21

Students 

Final day to submit required paperwork  

 

4/22

L’Erin & Kristin 

Sent list of students ready for a course swap to mentors

 

4/22 – 4/26

Mentors 

Course Swaps Submitted – Begin ASAP

 

Week of 4/26

Mentors & Students

Attend Weekly Orientation Session (Attendance only required for students one time prior to course start and mentor attendance is optional

Invites sent by SOC team

5/3

Students

Course Start

 

5/3

SOC Team

Send welcome email to students based on the project assignments with next steps and contact information for support.