Designating and enhancing experiential learning spaces at Ohio University

Ohio University’s Office of Experiential Learning has announced a last call for applications for the Experiential Spaces Designation.

By spotlighting these spaces, the University aims to expand access to them, increase engagement among students and enhance our institutional profile as a leader in experiential learning.

In 2022, 13 spaces received this designation. With this final call for proposals, Executive Director of Experiential Learning Dr. Lindsey Rudibaugh hopes to expand the program’s reach to OHIO’s regional campuses and bring awareness to more experiential learning spaces on the Athens campus. Recipients will receive $500 to be used towards elevating the spaces, running programming and marketing to increase student engagement. Awarded spaces also receive signage promoting the designation.

Criteria for designation

Applicants must demonstrate how activities in the spaces align with OHIO’s definition of experiential learning:

Interdisciplinarity – Achieved through intentional curricular or co-curricular programming, preferably both.
Authentic context – Real practice of some type of competency; the space is uniquely poised to deliver specific learning outcomes.
Ownership – Students exercise independent judgment in defining and/or executing the activity, taking ownership of the process and outcomes.
Deep engagement – Student involvement in the activity is sustained and/or intensive; the experience requires a substantial investment of time and attention to foster deep learning.
Facilitated reflection – Students are guided through a process of looking inward and backward to make sense of their experience and iteratively improve.