Experiential Learning Ties Leadership Doctoral Students to Community and Propels Growth as Researchers

• In Event: Fostering Community Connections Through Experiential Learning and Community Engagement Across Educational Spaces

Abstract

This retrospective, qualitative, cross-sectional study investigated the capstone action learning experience of cohorts of educational leadership PhD students at a Florida state university. Utilizing extensive document/artifact analysis we examined how experiential learning with a service component contributed to developing research capacity by cultivating a connection to community to address authentic problems and improve schools. Thematic analysis uncovered an overarching finding, learning how to do research the hard/real way which comprises three themes, and aligns with the essential elements of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. Students learned how to conduct research by doing research, connecting theory to real-life practice. There are implications for teaching how scholars and practitioners in the community can come together to solve critical problems of practice through inquiry.

Authors

• Patricia Maslin-Ostrowski, Florida Atlantic University

• Maysaa Y. Barakat, Florida Atlantic University