Framework
The university has a long history of offering experiential learning and work-integrated learning to its students, both within Faculties and as co-curricular or extra-curricular opportunities. At Ontario Tech, we define experiential learning as the strategic, active engagement of students in opportunities to learn by doing and reflecting on those activities, which empowers them to apply their theoretical knowledge and creativity to real-world challenges, including those in workplace and volunteer settings.
We believe that well-planned, supervised and assessed experiential learning activities enrich student learning and promote intellectual development, interdisciplinary thinking, social engagement, cultural awareness, teamwork, and other communication and professional skills.
Experiential learning includes:
- Industry or community agency-sponsored research projects
- Interactive simulations (e.g., healthcare settings)
- Capstone projects
- On-campus work
- Teaching labs
- Performance-based learning (e.g., recitals)
- Work-Integrated learning
Work-integrated learning is a model and process of curricular experiential education which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting.
Work-integrated learning includes:
- Co-ops
- Internships
- Campus incubators
- Practicums
- Clinical placements
- Field experience
- Applied research projects
- Service learning
- Apprenticeship
