Incorporating Experiential Teaching Methods in Sustainable Natural Resources Curriculum: A Case Study

Abstract

This article presents results of utilizing a college course design that is based on experiential learning theory and experiential education methods. The subject matter of the course included how human dimensions, economic development, and policy affect the sustainability of natural resources such as water, wildlife, and forestry in a highly ranked sustainable country. The course was taught in three phases. In phase I students were introduced to the subject matter using mostly teacher-centered methods. In phase II students traveled to Costa Rica to learn on the subject matter using student-centered methods. In the last phase, a combination of student and teacher-centered methods were used to help students to reflect on the learned concepts. Results from using this course design indicate that students were able to understand how natural resources and their sustainability are in constant interaction with human dimensions, economic development, and policy. Also, at the end of the course, students expressed that they felt engaged and empowered to reflect on their experiences and were able to apply these experiences in a different context.