Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a theory of learning that conceptualizes the process of learning from experience or learning by doing. At the University of Toronto, experiential learning informs the design and delivery of a breadth of learning opportunities for our students.

For a detailed overview of experiential learning at U of T, visit the Experiential Learning Hub. The EL Hub includes definitions of various forms of experiential learning, pedagogical and administrative supports, policies and guidelines, profiles of experiential learning opportunities and connections to divisional and institutional supports.

“We are proud of the breadth and depth of the experiential opportunities that exist at U of T and grateful to the faculty and staff who offer high-quality, meaningful opportunities to our students, as well as the incredible partners in industry and community organizations who support and mentor our students as learners and contributors in their organizations.”

Professor Susan McCahan, Vice Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education

Supports and Resources for Experiential Learning

Below you can find supports and resources to help faculty, staff and students better understand and navigate experiential learning at U of T. Click on each one to learn more.

The EL Hub provides a detailed overview of experiential learning at U of T, including definitions of various forms of experiential learning, pedagogical and administrative supports, policies and guidelines, profiles of experiential learning opportunities and connections to divisional and institutional supports.

Visit the EL Hub

Co-chaired by the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education and the Vice-Provost, Students, the FEL brings together academic and non-academic administrators, faculty, staff and librarians three times a year to share important internal and external developments related to experiential learning, to encourage knowledge and promising practice sharing across academic and shared-service units and to build a network of relationships around experiential programming, delivery, assessment and the student experience.

Contact OVPIUE to join the FEL

Academic divisions, units and programs at U of T are committed to supporting clarity and transparency regarding student learning experiences within their programs and courses. To support these goals, a University-wide typology of course experiences has been developed and integrated into the Course Experience and Syllabus section of the Course Information System (CIS). This allows course instructors in the first-entry undergraduate divisions to identify when particular learning experiences, including experiential learning opportunities, are a major course component to be completed by all enrolled students.

Learn more about Course Experience Tagging on the EL Hub

The Student Placement Portal is supported by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students as a resource for placement coordinators who oversee unpaid, curricular experiential learning placements. The Portal has been developed to provide guidance and support to the academic divisions to align their administrative processes with relevant legislation, policy and procedure that are related to unpaid work integrated learning opportunities for students. It includes the University’s placement agreement repository, templates and health & safety information.

Visit the Student Placement Portal

Riipen is a service, licensed by U of T, that facilitates collaborative projects with community organizations and businesses by helping with the matching process, project setup and ongoing coordination. Students engaging in EL opportunities through Riipen also benefit from direct feedback from organizations.

Learn more about Riipen

The CCP collaborates with community partners, students, faculty, and staff to advance community-engaged learning and research through building community, enhancing capacity, and learning together. They do this through offering knowledge, experience and resources, opportunities for connection and collaboration, community-engaged learning and community-engaged research opportunities for students.

View the CCP website

The CLNx is an institutional site that brings together opportunities and resources for career, advising, research, mentorship and co-curricular experiences. This portal supports students, faculty, staff and external partners seeking and hiring for curricular and co-curricular opportunities.

Visit the CLNx

Research

Contact Us

For questions related to experiential learning, contact el.vpiue@utoronto.ca.