Queen’s faculty and staff members are invited to an event celebrating the launch of the Experiential Learning (EL) Hub, a central website that provides information and best practices about experiential learning opportunities at Queen’s to faculty, administrators, and community partners.

“This is a great opportunity for faculty members, in particular, to come out and learn more about the hub and the services our team provides,” says Cathy Keates, Director of Career Services, the department leading the project through the Division of Student Affairs. “The hub is meant to be a central point of contact for the community, a place where people can learn more about what experiential learning opportunities already exist at Queen’s and what’s possible.”

The EL Hub launch event will take place Tuesday, June 27, 2:30-3:30 pm, in Gordon Hall, 3rd floor, Career Services Workshop Room 302. RSVP to el.hub@queensu.ca. 

The launch event will feature a brief presentation by Chelsea Elliott, Manager, Experiential Learning and Partner Relations, explaining the EL Hub, and its services and benefits, as well as presentations by two students who have benefitted by EL opportunities at Queen’s. Queen’s faculty and staff will meet members of the EL Hub team and learn more about how the team can provide support during the development of EL opportunities.

“Each year, we are contacted by more than 1,000 employer and community partners who are looking to connect with Queen’s students,” says Ms. Elliott. “The hub and this event are a great way for faculty to become engaged with the EL possibilities available. And we are here to help – there are many tips and tools on the website and the team is available for consultations and brainstorming.”

More information is available on the EL Hub website.

What is experiential learning?

The Association for Experiential Education defines experiential education as a “philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people's capacity to contribute to their communities.”

At Queen’s, experiential learning manifests in many ways, including through 12-16 month paid work placements (Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program), practicums such as those in Nursing, Education, Occupational Therapy, or Rehabilitation, and co-curricular opportunities such as Queen’s Cares.

In 2015, the Provost's Advisory Committee on Teaching and Learning (PACTL) established an Experiential Learning Working Group (ELWG) to lead discussions and develop a strategy around Experiential Learning; the creation of an EL Hub is one of the recommendations to come out of their report. 

Learn more on the EL Hub and in this Gazette article.