- For me, the value of experiential learning
outside of the classroom,
doing the Dean's Summer Fellowship,
is that the time period that we have in a typical class
just isn't enough to cover the kinds of skills
that I'm developing.
I'm able to sit for these big long stretches of time
and really hone the skills that I'm learning
in a way that isn't possible
in a typical classroom setting.
(heartfelt music)
- I think experiential learning is unique at the college
because our students are really reflective about
how they're going to apply their education
to making a positive impact in the world.
I think that they get involved in these experiences
to try and find ways to apply what they're learning
in the classroom to address real world challenges,
and I think that really distinguishes
the students and the college.
- So this summer I'm receiving some sediment samples
from the Gulf of Mexico and I'm analyzing those
to look at the microbial activity
and try to pinpoint some biological chemical processes
that can help mitigate the harmful effects
of ocean acidification.
- Experiential learning takes place
across the College of Arts and Sciences in many forms.
A snapshot of experiential learning underway
can be found by looking at the annual
Dean's Summer Fellowship Program.
This program makes it possible for students
in all of our majors to have the opportunity
to engage in a faculty-mentored
undergraduate research experience.
- My research this summer,
thanks to the Dean's Summer Fellowship,
has allowed me to explore
the early American labor movement.
I actually was able to go to West Virginia
and explore the archives
of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union.
I'm given the opportunity to spend
an entire week away from campus
delving into my research and getting at the actual source
of what I'm trying to explore.
- The mentoring of students in research
has long been a hallmark of the College of Arts and Sciences
and we have a significant number of faculty
that are drawn to this work.
In fact, some came to work at the University of Dayton
because it is a priority in the college
and the broader university.
- The benefits of being mentored by Dr. Biffinger
are that I actually get to have
one-on-one time with a faculty member here at U of D,
and it's more of, like, working side-by-side
on research projects instead of just having
a professor-student relationship.
We're actually developing and researching together
side-by-side.
- Getting to learn cinematography one-on-one
with Professor Simmons is so helpful
because I really get that guidance of her
looking over my shoulder and, like,
tweaking the little things that I'm doing
that, you know, when I'm in my class of 30 students,
it's kind of hard for the professor to
really give you that individual attention.
So it's really helpful to have her helping hand.
- In the College of Arts and Sciences,
faculty are really interested
in developing relationships with their students
and offering a lot of guidance and mentorship.
I think that that's really important
because it gives students
the opportunity to find ways of connecting
with their learning
to professional development opportunities
to career opportunities to other things
that will advance their careers academically
and professionally.
- I'm studying art education,
and we learn to be both artists and teachers,
and this fellowship this summer
is really helping me to build my skillset as an artist
and give me time to develop a studio practice
in a way that isn't possible during typical classes.
- My research this summer has truly given me
the ability to build the groundwork for my future career.
I plan on using this thesis as a writing sample
for graduate applications,
and more than likely will serve as a jumping off point
for further research into either a doctoral thesis
or a lifetime of learning.
- I think experiential learning is extremely beneficial
for any student,
especially for myself as a media production student
because going into that field,
it's not necessarily about what you've learned
in your classroom,
but you have to really get the hands-on experience
and work with professionals and really understand
how to do your job in a way that you can't really learn
from reading a textbook and taking tests.
- So, for me, the benefit of hands-on learning
versus just sitting in the classroom
is that I remember before I started working in a lab,
I wasn't sure if I was in the right career path
because my classes were difficult
and I didn't know what a career based on those classes
would look like.
But once I started working in a lab,
I really felt confident that I was on the right path
and I was setting myself up to be successful in the future.
(heartfelt music)