Pedagogy and Professional Development

Creating a Share-Worthy Experience: The Impact of Experiential Learning Exercises in an Online and On Campus Introductory Textile Science Course

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Abstract

American universities face financial strain due to pandemic losses exceeding $120 billion. To manage costs, there's a move toward larger class sizes, though recent evidence challenges the assumption that they hinder learning.Experiential learning is valued, especially in complex subjects like textile science, yet it's difficult to implement online. This study assessed the impact of experiential exercises (ELEs) on textile science students in on-campus and online settings. Results favored on-campus courses in learning assessments, with ELEs enhancing outcomes. However, online ELEs didn't significantly improve learning experiences. Although,average scores from the authentic learning measure were notably higher for online students completing the ELEs compared to the online students who did not.Despite cost-effective distribution of ELE kits ($18.87 per student),further research with expanded exercises could strengthen observed trends. Overall, integrating ELEs positively impacts learning outcomes in textile science, suggesting potential teaching strategies for similar fields.

Keywords: experiental learning, textile science, learning outcomes, authentic learning

How to Cite:

Harmon, J., (2024) “Creating a Share-Worthy Experience: The Impact of Experiential Learning Exercises in an Online and On Campus Introductory Textile Science Course”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17588