ERIC Number: EJ1129190
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Mar
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: N/A
Impacts of Experiential Learning Depth and Breadth on Student Outcomes
Coker, Jeffrey Scott; Heiser, Evan; Taylor, Laura; Book, Connie
Journal of Experiential Education, v40 n1 p5-23 Mar 2017
This 5-year study of graduating seniors at Elon University (n = 2,058) evaluates the impacts of experiential learning depth (amount of time commitment) and breadth (number of different types of experiences) on student outcomes. Data on study abroad, undergraduate research, internships, service, and leadership experiences were pulled from cocurricular transcripts and paired with responses to the National Survey of Student Engagement. Both depth and breadth were associated with acquiring a broad general education, writing clearly and effectively, contributing to the welfare of communities, relationships with faculty and administration, and desire to attend the same institution. Depth (but not breadth) was associated with higher order thinking (synthesis and application) in the senior year, as well as overall educational experience. Breadth (but not depth) was associated with working effectively with others and better relationships with other students. Overall, key learning outcomes desired for a college student are driven by both experiential learning depth and breadth.
Descriptors: College Seniors, Experiential Learning, Outcomes of Education, Study Abroad, Internship Programs, Service Learning, Student Leadership, Transcripts (Written Records), Student Surveys, Learner Engagement, National Surveys, General Education, Writing Skills, Teacher Student Relationship, Thinking Skills, Educational Experience, Peer Relationship, Correlation, Statistical Analysis, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: National Survey of Student Engagement
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A