ExEL - EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION & LEARNING

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Required ExEL student documents are listed below on this page.

Dr. Alshuth offers a unique component in her online marine science courses supporting NSU’s existing hands-on, real-world learning opportunities for students, while reflecting nationally recognized teaching and learning best practices. This component is known as Experiential Education and Learning - ExEL. It is a method of teaching/learning that integrates hands-on experiential learning in a real world applied science environment with student's academic studies in marine science. The ExEL applied science experience provides an opportunity to see real world science application in the marine sciences employment environment. It also provides an opportunity to understand how STEM disciplines contribute to community resources and civic responsibility. The purpose of experiential education is to actively engage the student through relevant, ongoing experience, critical problem solving and reflective practices.

Students enrolled in Dr. Alshuth's marine science courses that take advantage of the ExEL option (a career-related, resume building opportunity) can use their ExEL grade to augment and or enhance their course grade. For testing recall challenged students this may be an interesting way to also increase your course test scores while learning first hand how some marine scientists contribute to science, community and make a living.

Varied learning models aligned to ExEL and associated with the course curriculum, include any of following:

Minimum ExEL Course Program Commitments: ExEL students are required to complete at least 15 hours of volunteer ExEL work during the semester - documented by their site time sheet, and signed by the ExEL community partner site supervisor. Some institutions may require a longer time commitment - see list of institutions and examples on upper left. There is no maximum limit on possible service hours and or whether your service is voluntary and or as an employee of the respective sponsor.

Get started: Local students, out-of county, out-of-state, or out of country students interested in the ExEL project need to be self-motivated, search for a local institution and contact the institution of their choice by email at the beginning of the semester - cc me on your correspondence. Your email needs to include your name and contact info (email & phone), the course you are enrolled with my name and when you would be available to schedule a meeting by phone or in person with the supervisor at the institute. Note that some institutions require an application form to be submitted which is usually posted on the institution's website.

(Note - Additional community partners in other areas may be approved by Dr. Alshuth - if details are provided in advance of the start of the course.)

Each student is required to submit the following two documents by email during the semester - immediately after the completion of the required ExEL hours. DUE date for submission is during the week prior to Final Exams. Click to go to page and copy the form:

Note: Not providing the documents before semester end will result in zero course credit for ExEL, there will be no exceptions. Your documents will be graded as posted in the ExEL Grade Form below - click on link for more information.

Please, email me if you are interested in participating in this unique program or have any questions using the Contact Form on the navigation menu.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Community engagement and service learning at NSU is a systematic, pedagogical approach to enhance a student’s learning experience by providing the opportunity to apply theory and research to practice within a community setting. Marine Science students enrolled in one of Dr. Alshuth's marine science courses who are interested in participating in the ExEL Learning Program during this semester must make their decision during the first two weeks of class (no exceptions), contact their chosen ExEL institution and email me of their respecitive instution’s acceptance through Canvas email. If you prefer to start with your ExEL hours later in the semester please email me.

ExEL - PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS