The Importance of Experiential Learning in VCE - St Leonard's College | Independent School Melbourne St Leonard's College

St Leonard's College | Independent School Melbourne

The Importance of Experiential Learning in VCE

Monday 12 August 2024

Experiential learning is crucial in the Senior School, offering students real-world applications of academic content, enriching understanding and enhancing future success.

“ When I was a graduate teacher, I attended a professional development workshop focused on incorporating experiential learning into the Legal Studies classroom. ”

A member of the audience asked, “How could you afford the time to do this in Year 12?”, to which the presenter responded, “Given the importance of Year 12, how could you afford not to?”.

Experiential learning is often viewed as a focus of a Middle School learning environment. However, I would argue that the benefits of being immersed in a real-world application of academic content are even more important in our students’ final years at St Leonard’s College.

While it could be seen as disruptive to take a group of Senior School students out of their scheduled lessons for a day, our students thrive when presented with opportunities to see their textbooks come alive.

As part of the College’s VCE program in 2024, students have sat in a criminal trial in the Supreme Court and participated in a mock jury empanelment in the County Court, engaged in fieldwork at the Fisherman’s Bend redevelopment site, visited the NGV Triennial, hiked through the Brisbane Ranges, attended a lecture on First Nations art and culture at the Ian Potter Centre, watched the play Meet Me At Dawn and collected data on the interaction of light and matter at the Australian Synchrotron.

As 2024 continues, plans are in place for students to observe animal adaptations and behaviour at Melbourne Zoo, participate in the Chinese Model United Nations and undertake fieldwork on sports tourism in the Melbourne CBD.

One of our staff learning spotlights this year is to consider the concept of “lifeworthy learning” when planning our teaching programs. It is our responsibility as senior teachers to provide opportunities for our students to engage directly with the concepts learned in class, enabling them to see a clear connection between theory and practice, and to make abstract concepts tangible. It is my hope that these experiences will not only enhance the academic success of our students, but give them an appreciation and excitement for where their emerging passions may take them in the future.

St Leonard's College | Independent School Melbourne

A member of the audience asked, “How could you afford the time to do this in Year 12?”, to which the presenter responded, “Given the importance of Year 12, how could you afford not to?”.

Experiential learning is often viewed as a focus of a Middle School learning environment. However, I would argue that the benefits of being immersed in a real-world application of academic content are even more important in our students’ final years at St Leonard’s College.

While it could be seen as disruptive to take a group of Senior School students out of their scheduled lessons for a day, our students thrive when presented with opportunities to see their textbooks come alive.

As 2024 continues, plans are in place for students to observe animal adaptations and behaviour at Melbourne Zoo, participate in the Chinese Model United Nations and undertake fieldwork on sports tourism in the Melbourne CBD.

By Natasha Campbell, VCE Coordinator and Commerce Teacher

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