Experiential Learning

 
Experiential learning refers to a style of learning that occurs when a person is interacting with the environment, including people, animals and situations involved. It is learning by doing. It promotes personal exploration of feelings and behaviors in an educational format. During experiential learning sessions, a student tests strategies, gets results and feedback, and then organizes the information into an action theory - the belief that desires or intentions lead to a certain action. Each student has an individual lesson plan that is evaluated weekly and adjusted accordingly, in response to the students progress toward their goals. An example is the elementary school program for which we use literature as the framework for the session. Each lesson consists of four areas of focus:
  • Community - Example: A discussion about a group response to fear.
  • Horse - Example: Observe the behavior and reactions of horses in a group
  • Academic - Example: Define "Friend" & "Partner"/On a map identify the ship's course from India to Portugual. ( The Black Stallion)
  • Individual - Example: Identify a time when you were fearful. Identify a friend. Spend 5 minutes of quiet time with your horse.
Riverwood's experiential learning program is open to groups or individuals. Please call or e-mail for more information.