Experiential Learning at Mount Aloysius College is a method of instruction in which students learn the content of the curriculum while actively participating in and reflecting on experiences that benefit both the community and the students.
Tied into the College’s Mercy values and history of community engagement, Experiential Learning develops the “whole” student and creates global citizens.
Mount Aloysius College continues to develop its program through a committee, monies available for projects, and/or an Annual Experiential Learning Expo.
2020-2021 Experiential Learning Committee Members
Community-Based Learning
Community-based learning bridges academic learning and real-world civic engagement focused on community need. This engagement can include anything that makes an impact beyond the course itself, including: direct service-learning, indirect service-learning, research-based service-learning, and advocacy service-learning.
Direct Service-Learning involves person-to-person service projects where the students’ actions directly impact the individuals receiving the service from the students.
- Tutoring
- Arts lessons for the youth
- Presentations on violence and drug prevention
- Helping at homeless shelters
Students who volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program learn the benefits of direct service learning by assisting members of our local community with filing their taxes.
Indirect Service-Learning focuses on broad issues, environmental projects, or community development projects that have benefit the community or environment, but may not necessarily benefit the individuals with whom the students are working.
- Compiling town history
- Restoring historical structures
- Restoring ecosystem
MAC students engaged in indirect service learning through the American Red Cross’ Sound the Alarm event, at which students canvassed homes to provide information on fire prevention and safety.
Research-Based Service-Learning involves students gathering and presenting information on an area of interest and need.
- Writing guide to translation services
- Water testing for local residents
- Creating brochures for nonprofits
- Mapping state lands
Previous Community-Based Learning Projects
Sample Experiential Learning Projects
Practicums
The intended goals of student participation in practicums include: gaining further knowledge about the field of study, acquiring new skills for career development, developing critical reflection and analysis skills, and developing an understanding of the challenges facing small businesses. Students may participate in one of three types of practicum:
Community Practicums are focused on reflection to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop the capacity to communicate in a community. These practicums are major-specific or interdisciplinary and can count for up to three credits.
Integrated Practicums offer practical field experience that allows students to develop their skills within their major. These include time in the classroom learning material and on-site or virtual hours working on a project with a community organization.
Work-Based Learning
Work-based learning is intended to give students the opportunity to gain experience in their field while still learning in the classroom. The various forms of work-based learning provided at the Mount include traditional internships, professional development training, job shadowing, and mentorships.
Internships
Certain programs at Mount Aloysius require a student to complete an internship before graduation. These opportunities help students blend the knowledge they learn in the classroom with real-world experience. Typically, students complete 135 hours of internship work within one semester. The goal of the internship program is for students to gain insight into a possible career path while learning about the industry. Micro-internships are short-term, project-based opportunities that last between five and 40 hours. They could be a part of a course or a standalone opportunity.
Mountie Julianna Wright, ’20, learned just how important internships and work-based learning can be when she interned with JWF Industries in Johnstown, PA.
Upcoming Events
The Dark Side of Cyber! Halloween Event
5:00 PM Bertschi Center and Technology CommonsVisit the dark side of Cyber! Make your own spooky slime and/or Halloween cards while learning the dark side of Cyber Security. Located outside in the tents (weather permitting) or in Bertchi Lounge.
View all eventsCyber Kahoot
open all day till midnight 12am for a chance to win a 1st place prize. You do not need to know a lot about Cyber Security to play! Everyone is welcome ! Game pin - 02092876
View all eventsFAFSA Completion Night
5:30 PM Mount Aloysius CollegeJoin us on November 9 or November 16 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm for assistance with completing the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These informative sessions will be held in the Main Administration Building.
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