ERIC Number: EJ1129193
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Mar
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Learning by Experience in a Standardized Testing Culture: Investigation of a Middle School Experiential Learning Program
Scogin, Stephen C.; Kruger, Christopher J.; Jekkals, Regan E.; Steinfeldt, Chelsea
Journal of Experiential Education, v40 n1 p39-57 Mar 2017
Standardized testing pressure sometimes discourages schools from broadly implementing experiential learning opportunities. However, some K-12 schools are challenging the trend with greater commitment to learning by experience. STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, mathematics) school is a project-based program providing students with opportunities to connect content with authentic experiences at the middle school level. Using a convergent-parallel mixed methods design, researchers investigated the program and discovered (a) students in the experiential program perceived school as more enjoyable, (b) learning to successfully collaborate was a key factor leading to positive experiences for students, (c) students showed evidence of noncognitive skill growth, and (d) students in the experiential program progressed appropriately on standardized tests and did not differ significantly from their counterparts in traditional classes.
Descriptors: Experiential Learning, Middle Schools, Active Learning, Student Projects, Mixed Methods Research, Middle School Students, Cooperative Learning, Student Experience, Standardized Tests, Scores, Grade 7
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Grade 7; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A