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Newest version of the JHCS definition of experiential education (2/11/19):

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Newest version of the JHCS definition of experiential education (2/11/19):

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Experiential education is embedded in the philosophy of the Jackson Hole Community School. It is most obvious in our trips program and in student work with professionals in the community, but is also highly valued in classroom activities. At The Community School, experiential education engages students in meaningful inquiry, collaboration, and reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop students' capacity to contribute to their communities.

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action words:
provides
cultivates
exercises
foster
extends

nouns:
a spirit of inquiry
collaboration
communication
beyond themselves

Where we see it:
occurs inside and outside the classroom.
Fall Trips
MiniMester
Junior Spotlights
Science Field Experience
Research Night

What we think of it:
we see experiential education as a vital element of our challenging, engaging academic program.

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Experiential education at the Jackson Hole Community School provides students with an opportunity to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and exercise their curiosity about the world around them while developing skills and confidence as they engage meaningfully in their communities. Our approach draws upon the elements of action, reflection, and transfer to provide perspective, cultivate understanding, and foster connection and caring both among students and beyond themselves.

OTHER NOTES:
-  A goal that I hope to achieve is to have a definition that can carry us through the next 5 years regardless of the programs that fall underneath the EEP. In other words, allow for the programs that we have now, but also leave space to develop program elements and experiences that will fall under the definition's umbrella of where we would like to take or see the EEP go in the next 5.

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Experiential education is 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.

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"Experiential learning refers to a broad spectrum of educational experiences, such as community service, fieldwork, sensitivity training groups, workshops, internships, cooperative education involving work in business and industry, and undergraduate participation in faculty research,” (p. 246). (McKeachie, 2002)

Experiential education “assists students in translating classroom knowledge into meaningful learning for their future…Experiential education needs to be viewed as a unique form of pedagogy involving deep reflection, collaboration, and assessment,” (Qualters, 2010).

“...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.” (Association for Experiential Education, 2013).

“A process whereby the learner interacts with the world and integrates new learning into old constructs.” (Eyler, 2009).

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At the Jackson Hole Community School, experiential education occurs inside and outside the classroom. Students engage purposefully in hands on, active experiences which promote critical thinking, collaboration, and a spirit of inquiry. We see experiential education as a vital element of our challenging, engaging academic program.

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Based on the need for a student's whole development, experiential education at JHCS provides authentic and rigorous learning experiences that deepen the understanding of content, develop confidence, encourage initiative, model integrity, and challenge character...

These experiences are hands-on...
...Paired with meaningful reflection.

...Imbedded in our academic program, and emphasized during Fall Trips, Minimester, community service, and clubs...

...to ultimately meaningfully serve their future communities.

"Transformational'

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Jackson Hole Community School achieves its mission not only through rigorous academics, but also through its unique experiential education program. At JHCS, we believe experiential education to be hands on experiences followed by meaningful debrief and reflection that provide our students the opportunity to develop skills and confidence in an engaging community, and graduate empowered to make meaningful contributions. (from student statement)
or
Jackson Hole Community School achieves its mission not only through rigorous academics, but also through its unique experiential education program. At JHCS, we believe experiential education to be hands on experiences followed by meaningful debrief and reflection that provide our students the opportunity to deepen knowledge, develop skillsets, formulate values, and gain an understanding of how to meaningfully contribute to their community. (very similar to aee definition)

part two would involve an explanation of where people can see/expect to see experiential ed...
Part of the academic experience at JHCS involves community service days, during which our entire school goes out into the greater Jackson Hole community to serve. We also offer Fall Trips and Minimester...(better explanation here)...However, what must be noted is that our teaching philosophy is rooted in both rigor and experiential education (can we say that? should we say that?)

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Based on brain-based learning research, the mission of Minimester at JHCS is to supplement classroom-based courses with related, intensive, hands-on experiences. JHCS accomplishes this by providing rich week-long courses that act as a curricular extension for students, which provide understanding of a topic or issue on a deeper level. Students engage with materials, converse with experts, observe processes live, and build applicable skills. Minimester allows students to apply classroom content to their communities and personal lives.

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Based on socio-emotional development research detailing the need for student growth beyond traditional letter-based grading, the mission of the Fall Trip at JHCS is to build character, community, and leadership, as well as have fun. JHCS accomplishes this by taking students on screen-free, multi-day backcountry trips that challenge participants’ effectiveness in group communication, decision-making, and task completion, in a setting that balances rigor, adversity, safety and comfort. Fall Trips challenge students to reflect on their personal health/self-care, the privilege of public lands, and the teaching power of nature.

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The Jackson Hole Community School delivers an exceptional high school experience that prepares students to be independent thinkers who demonstrate personal integrity and moral purpose. Our commitment to service and experiential programming stimulates individual investment in learning, critical thinking, and a spirit of inquiry in our students. We respect each community member as a unique individual, honor ideas and opinions that are different from our own, and value strong interpersonal relationships. We believe quality education requires a collaborative effort from the school, the home, and the community.

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Community School students arrive curious about the world, develop skills and confidence in an engaging community, and graduate empowered to make meaningful contributions.

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Jackson Hole Community School prepares students to succeed in college and life, through challenging academics and excellence in teaching, in a community founded on personal relationships, student initiative, and integrity.