CADH: An Experiential Learning Experience

CADH is committed to providing students with an education based on sound educational principles. As such, it integrates and employs multiple teaching/learning methods to ensure it addresses multiple learning styles. Further, since dental hygienists provide dental hygiene services to their clients, a large portion of the education is experiential in nature. Traditionally, dental hygiene students first engaged in laboratory simulation exercises and then went on to clinical sessions with clients within the educational facility as well as community placement opportunities.

However, experiential learning does not have to take place in the laboratory or educational clinical facility. CADH is now using experiential learning early in the curriculum through the use of role-playing exercises, debates, group work, and problem-based learning. According to Barbara Jacoby, Faculty Associate for Leadership and Community Service-Learning at the University of Maryland, College Park (as quoted by Bart 2012):

“Faculty roles include selecting suitable learning experiences, posing challenges and problems, co-creating with students the safe learning environment that learning requires, supporting students as learners, and facilitating critical reflection. Experiential learning in the classroom looks and is different from what happens in the traditional classroom. It is not, as it is sometimes accused of being, students teaching themselves. It is certainly not lightweight, fluffy, or busywork. It is not about experience alone.”

Critical thinking and reflection on the learning process is essential to move students to a higher level of learning. In this vein, CADH has implemented a student portfolio which has students highlight their best work and reflect on how this work led them to achieve the CADH program outcomes. Furthermore, CADH continues to evolve and integrate greater amounts of technology to help support the experiential learning process, encourage collaboration and meet the needs of its diverse learners.

References
Bart, M. Reap the Benefits of Experiential Learning Without Leaving the Classroom. Faculty Focus [internet]. Nov 9, 2012. Available at: http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/instructional-design/reap-the-benefits-of-experiential-learning-without-leaving-the-classroom/.

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