Dr. Laura Hunt Trull from James Madison University shared insights on teaching a grant writing course with significant experiential learning at the 2020 Lilly Conference. Hunt Trull began by introducing (for me, probably review for others familiar with experiential learning) National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE) Principles of Good Practice. There are eight principles: intention, preparedness and planning, authenticity, reflection, orientation and training, monitoring and continuous improvement, assessment and evaluation, and acknowledgement. Hunt Trull went over each principle. For intention, all parties must be clear of the goal of experiential learning. For preparedness and planning, prepare participants and partner agencies. Experiential education is really-world experience: each student will have an authentic experience that may not be similar to peers. Reflection helps adjust and measure outcomes when it is done intentionally. Orientation and training must be provided to all participants and co-instructors in the agency. Constant monitoring and feedback are important for achieving goals. Intentional and frequent check-ins are critical. There needs to be an assessment and evaluation process to ensure flexibility and learning. Acknowledgement is important to celebrate the learning and achievements for participants and agencies. Hunt Trull’s course is awesome: students work with real agencies, develop grant writing skills, and have $10,000 to award to two agencies! Community partners work closely with faculty: they even write letters of commitment. Students vote for the grants that get funded. The pivot to online and virtual experiential learning brought with it several changes: virtual check-ins, electronic posters, electronic voting… and even virtual ceremony. Nevertheless, Hunt Trull prepared for the fall by revisiting the eight principles and providing virtual training and information for students and agencies. Feedback and reflection became more targeted: calling on people to share by telling them they would share during the next class. This gave students an expectation and time to reflect. Independent readings and a schedule of check-ins were necessary. Hunt Trull was systematic and kept the eight principles in mind, by completing a table with the course goals, principles, and activities. This example of experiential learning made me think about the possibilities for the BIT 295 Biotechnology and Sustainability course. I wonder if a mini proposal program with the Sustainability Office would be helpful and successful? I wonder if the experiential learning and course could be virtual? Hmmm…
