Real-World Experiences
Through an emphasis on experiential learning throughout the curriculum, we engage and require our students to learn through doing and to become more effective in whatever discipline they pursue.
Real-world experience. Real-world impact.
Through experiential learning, students are able to bridge the gap between theory and practice. As a result, our students are able to utilize those portable skills they developed through their coursework. Such skills include critical thinking, oral communication, collaboration, research proficiency and professional behavior. They are are resilient and adaptable to change; able to work under pressure; able to openly self-evaluate; and able to display thoughtful, thorough, and informed judgment in diverse situations and a changing environment.
Our students demonstrate self-awareness and social awareness and are able to work empathetically and effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. They are able to integrate knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to identify and solve problems beyond the classroom, and they are able to assess, critique and improve their work through an understanding of how to develop new knowledge and skills where necessary.
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Learn By Doing
Our programs are designed to facilitate effective, vigorous, and flexible learning that will prepare our students for accomplishment, fulfillment, and self-realization in a swiftly changing world. Learn through doing and become more effective in whatever discipline you pursue.
Students at RIC encounter experiential learning in three main areas:
1.) Senior capstone courses: These are required Senior experiences that range from creative projects, in-service experience, practicum, internships, or seminars (or other culminating courses). Seminars (and culminating courses) demand research, presentations, and/or projects that allow students to show they understand the demands of the major by utilizing the skills they have developed in their course of study.
2.) Other required courses in programs that emphasize experiential learning: Not a culminating experience, but these courses highlight experiential learning, with an emphasis on hands-on learning activities, laboratory work (often doing original research), service-learning, volunteer experience, clinical skills, practicum, case studies, data collection and analysis, field work, creative production and performance, presentations, reflective discussion, and active research.
3.) Not required but available: Optional research (discipline based), internships, project work, field based courses, evidence-based practices, replication studies, simulation exercises, experimental techniques, self-exploration exercises, and creative/performance projects.