Experiential Education in the New Economy

An article in a recent newsletter we received from our friends at Next Element Consulting in Kansas, mentions that, in the business world "Lavish retreats are 'out'--skill building is in." Our observations of the world in general is that this is the case. Schools have a new focus on their "climate" and "community" and beyond that, a renewed emphasis on what has been termed "21st Century Skills." These skills include technology literacy, but also involve a more focused and deeper emphasis on "self actualization," "citizenship," and "emotional intellegence."



Many of these skills are outlined in the SCANS study (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) issued by the US Dept. of Labor in 2000. The study identifies 5 competancies:

1. Resources: identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources


2. Interpersonal: Works with others


3. Information: Acquires and uses information


4. Systems: Understands complex interrelationships


5. Technology: Works with a variety of technologies

In addition, a 3 part foundation was identified:

1. Basic Skills: reads, writes, performs arithmetic and mathematical operations, listens and speaks


2. Thinking Skills: thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, knows how to learn, and reasons


3. Personal Qualities: displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity and honesty

While all white papers and publications connected with SCANS make clear that these skills are essential for workplace success, there is very little about any new teaching pedogogies that could be employed to guarantee success. In fact, one clear point illustrated in the report, is that the majority of our schools are still using teaching techniques that are well over 100 years old and that an entirely new paradigm will need to develop. One paper I found even said that it was unclear how these new teaching tools would evolve.

Since the basis of experiential education involves an emphsis on teaching all of the things listed above, it would seem that there is an amazing opportunity. More then that, as we examine some of the root causes of our present economic woes, it seems clear that development of deeper awareness connections to and responsibility for a larger community, personal responsibility, integrity and honesty, etc. would out of necessity rise to the top. These things can not be taught or instilled by lecture and technology alone. They have to be experienced. This is what WE do. These are the kinds of things that play to our strengths and we should be shouting this from the rooftops. There are opportunities and maybe even a real cause for hope. As all of us know, sometimes a "storm" is necesarry for a community to move forward with awareness and purpose. The storm has happened, now it is time to seize the moment!