Experiential Learning in Initial Teacher Education courses: connecting the university learning to the professional space

The provision of an impactful educational experience for students which engages them positively in their learning, are two important goals for educators in school and university classrooms. Globally, universities also have an imperative to support the development of graduates who will be successful in gaining employment and in the navigation of their professional careers. To enable these outcomes, universities need to develop appropriate professional skills and understanding in their students to prepare them well for their chosen profession. Experiential Learning provides an opportunity to achieve all the above while engaging students in meaningful and positive learning.

This presentation discusses Experiential Learning as an inclusion in university Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses to support the development of crucial professional skills and understanding for the students. Experiential Learning enables strong links to be drawn between theory and practice to develop students’ readiness for the professional space. Given the educational landscape has recently been significantly affected by the global pandemic, educators now need to consider flexible approaches which cater for sudden and unexpected changes to the way they may be required to teach.

An example of how to embed Experiential Learning as a pedagogical practice and form of assessment in an ITE music method classroom will be discussed, including how this was achieved as an online offering when the pandemic unexpectedly impacted ‘face-to-face’ learning. The benefits for the ITE students’ professional development will be outlined, as well as how this learning extended positively into the professional school environment for graduates.