Practice makes perfect

PUC has  made huge strides in perfecting the skills of all its students. For more than twenty years, PUC has offered active learning courses on and off campus through opportunities known as Experiential Learning. Experiential Learning is a unique aspect to PUC that many other schools in the nation do not offer to all students.

Manager of Experiential Learning Janice Reynolds, said that "although Experiential Learning has been established at Purdue for many years, it wasn't until 2008 under Chancellor Cohen that it became a graduation requirement of two credit hours."

For current and future students to begin the journey of experiential learning, they must declare a major. Once chosen, a "bingo" sheet is offered by the department to guide the student towards the courses they need to graduate. Since 2008, some departments have taken the liberty to implement experiential learning courses into their "bingo" sheets, therefore allowing students to take these courses without paying for extra classes.

According to Reynolds, faculty adapted courses that are offered as experiential learning must be "reviewed in order to meet 8 standards under the National Society of Experiential Education."

There are numerous experiences offered to students of any major. Practicum based learning involves going out into the field of choice and learning through hands-on interactions. Practicum based experiences may include student teaching for education majors or working in a hospital for nursing majors.

The experience of undergraduate research typically involves biology majors or liberal arts majors, who work closely with a faculty member in order to make innovative discoveries in their field. Senior engineer majors can increase their knowledge of the field through design projects. Design projects allow students to solve real-life issues that an industry presents them with. This experience is done over the course of two semesters.

Getting students familiarized with their profession of choice is the main goal of Experiential Learning; however EXL also exposes students to other cultures. The cultural immersion aspect of EXL allows students to explore cultures outside of their "comfort zones," according to Reynolds.

Cultural immersion includes not only studying, living, and socializing abroad in countries such as France or Spain, but also through interacting with other cultures right here in Indiana.

With this, students have the opportunity to live in a different environment and gain a new perspective on their future careers.

Lastly, EXL offers internships which are specific to each degree, from business to equine management.Sophomore broadcast major, Arnesha Archie is looking forward to internships the most when she receives her degree.

"Working behind the scenes and receiving the hands on practice I need to better my knowledge of broadcasting would be very beneficial," Archie said.

For more information regarding Purdue's Experiential Learning Programs, contact Janice Reynolds at 989-8350.