Learning by Doing: Challenging but Successful

Learning by doing is a common method for teaching others how to do certain tasks or develop skills. Experiential learning opportunities such as internships and simulations are primary vehicles for students to learn by doing. Students benefit from gaining hands-on experience, developing or honing a particular skill set, and acquiring a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subject matter. This type of learning also has benefits that go beyond the immediate course environment and extend to future practical life and career applications. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the utility and practicality of experiential learning by using examples from an upper-division simulation course and internship courses in political science at a state flagship university. A deep dive into how these courses were designed and student performance provides insight into both the challenges and successes encountered in a learning-by-doing environment.