Education has graduated beyond traditional lecture and homework formats to more modern methodologies, such as active and experiential learning. Many programs now integrate experiential learning that connects academic concepts to applied practice in in-person, blended or fully online classrooms.
Youngstown State University’s online Master of Science in Education – Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching and Learning program equips educators with the advanced knowledge and skills to integrate experiential learning and improve student outcomes. And with enhanced technological literacy and understanding of digital pedagogy, graduates can become leaders and change agents in contemporary educational settings.
What Makes Experiential Learning Different From Traditional Education?
Experiential learning refers to instructional methods that guide active learning by prompting students to apply knowledge in concrete scenarios. This allows students to develop skills or deepen their understanding through experience.
Traditional education, on the other hand, focuses on delivering foundational knowledge in structured formats, where learners passively absorb information through listening, reading and recall. Whereas traditional learning focuses more on outcomes, experiential learning emphasizes the process of knowledge acquisition. Based on Kolb’s model of the learning cycle, experiential learning follows these principles:
- Concrete experience: Learners encounter a new or reinterpreted experience.
- Reflective observation: Learners reflect on their personal experience.
- Abstract conceptualization: Learners form new ideas based on their personal reflections.
- Active experimentation: Learners apply their ideas to assess the results.
Although experiential learning may take many forms, it aligns primarily with constructivist theory, which suggests that individuals gain knowledge through active learning. Interdisciplinary learning theory holds that teaching blends concepts from different subject areas to develop more nuanced and complex expertise. In this way, experiential learning offers students opportunities to strengthen problem-solving, critical thinking and knowledge retention by actively participating in experiences that reflect real-world scenarios.
What Is the Research Behind Hands-on Learning?
Research supports hands-on learning as an effective way to promote greater knowledge retention, engagement, motivation and flexibility in education. Overall, experiential learning also improves student retention, for instance, in college programs, compared to traditional methods.
One study compared perceived and actual learning outcomes between active and passive strategies in college settings. Students perceived that they learned more from lectures (passive absorption), but learning tests showed that active learning yielded better retention rates. Likewise, when online students participated in different strategies of application and theory, those who engaged more with application had better academic outcomes and more positive perceptions of blended learning compared to other groups.
Improved knowledge retention largely depends on forming neural connections, and experiences influence how the brain processes information and forms these connections. Specifically, experiential learning prompts learners to engage in problem-solving and decision-making while recalling prior experiences or concepts. Evidence shows that individual experiences, such as learning an instrument, playing video games or participating in sports, influence neural plasticity and may significantly affect motor skills, perception and cognition.
Hands-on learning also promotes engagement and motivation by establishing tangible, realistic connections between concepts and their applications. Even if students initially resist hands-on learning because it deviates from the traditional methods they are used to, motivation typically improves as learners build stronger neural connections, become more engaged with concepts and see improvements in learning. Hands-on learning also accommodates different learning styles by providing greater flexibility in how individuals learn and process information.
What Digital Tools Enable Experiential Learning at Scale?
Evolving technology has expanded experiential learning opportunities across online education. Digital platforms enable learners to practice skills, test ideas and analyze outcomes, fostering accessible, hands-on learning in online settings. Digital tools that facilitate experiential learning include:
- Simulations that replicate real-world scenarios
- Virtual labs that allow experimentation and data analysis
- Interactive case studies with branching outcomes
- Collaborative platforms for group problem-solving
- Analytics dashboards that track decisions and results
Throughout YSU’s M.S.Ed. – Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching and Learning online program, coursework emphasizes how educators can integrate technology into experiential learning methods. Students in the program study how digital tools influence learning design, assessment and engagement, and strategize about which learning theories are best suited to different environments, such as blended or flipped classrooms.
Implementing Experiential Strategies in Modern Classrooms
Educators can apply experiential learning methods effectively in online settings by aligning activities with clear learning outcomes. These strategies help educators build experiential learning into their classrooms:
- Assess student needs: Consider the student population and their learning outcomes to inform the activities and tools that best address relevant concepts, complement other course content and center learning on students.
- Choose experiential learning activities: Based on students’ needs, select experiential learning activities. Problem-based learning, case studies and scenarios, for example, allow students to practice critical thinking as they apply concepts.
- Define assessment strategies: Create clear objectives and define assessment protocols to measure the outcomes of experiential learning activities while still allowing for student autonomy.
- Gather feedback and adjust: Use feedback and data from digital tools to continuously evaluate the efficacy of experiential learning activities and make evidence-based adjustments.
Preparing Educators to Lead Hands-on Learning Experiences
Experiential instruction in online settings calls for specialized skills that blend pedagogy, instructional design and digital literacy. Educators must understand how different tools support learning and match them to learning outcomes to design effective curricula. As digital tools become increasingly relevant in modern classrooms, skills in learning management systems, AI tools, multimedia content and interactive or gamified platforms can help seamlessly integrate hands-on, active learning strategies.
Formal graduate education equips educators to meet the shifting expectations and technological evolutions of online learning environments. YSU’s M.S.Ed. – Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching and Learning program addresses teachers’ needs with coursework that examines instructional models and assesses learning strategies and curriculum in the context of digital learning environments.
The Future of Experiential Education
As educational institutions and programs adopt innovative learning tools and methodologies, experiential learning continues to influence the future of online education. Advances in educational technology enable more sophisticated simulations, collaborative tools and data-informed feedback systems that offer opportunities for meaningful engagement in virtual classrooms.
At YSU, the online M.S.Ed. – Teacher Education – Curriculum and Instruction – Digital Teaching and Learning program prepares educators to design learning experiences grounded in psychology and student-centered education. Learn more about YSU’s program today and start your journey in experiential education.
Learn more about YSU’s online Digital Teaching and Learning program.
