Clippy Could Never: AI for Experiential Learning Curriculum Design

Kolb, A.Y. and Kolb, D.A. (2017). The experiential educator: Principles and Practices of Experiential Learning. EBLS Press.

Kolb, D. A. (2014).  Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Pearson FT Press. 

The University of Texas at Arlington incorporates experiential learning and project-based learning into the first-year seminar curriculum for two student populations, first time in college students and transfer students. The UNIV 1000, 1101, and 1131 courses incorporate experiential learning opportunities to help students build competencies and skills for them to be academically successful.  

Additionally, the university created Maverick Advantage, a program open to all students at UTA to engage in high impact experiences. In this program, students complete three activities from a list of five activity categories: 1) career development, 2) community engagement, 3) global engagement, 4) leadership development, and 5) undergraduate research. Students gain valuable marketable skills to be applied both in and out of the classroom. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Maverick Advantage Distinction at graduation in recognition of the unique experiential learning experiences completed. The UTA Libraries is listed as one way students can complete the Maverick Advantage program. 

The UTA Libraries has dedicated two different departments to support experiential learning on campus. These departments are the Creative Spaces and Services department and the Experiential Learning department. Department of Experiential Learning has a team of librarians dedicated to supporting faculty in creating new curriculum or adjusting current curriculum to incorporate experiential learning activities. Additionally, the Department of Creative Spaces and Services oversees the physical spaces, equipment, and patron support. The departments work together to support individual student needs, faculty needs, and class needs.  

Additionally, the Experiential Learning department oversees an annual fellowship program called the Experiential Learning Faculty Fellowship. Approximately eight to ten faculty members are selected as fellows. They are partnered with an Experiential Learning Librarian to create or redesign curricula or assignments to include experiential or project-based learning components. Faculty are encouraged to incorporate maker-based competencies when creating learning objectives for their new or redesigned assignments. These projects must include library resources from the library's creative spaces or special collections. Upon completion of the program, faculty members receive a $1500 stipend.