Page 14 - voices-2021-11

FROM THE DESK
Experiential Learning
Lorri Andersen, DTM - Program Quality Director
Recently, I came upon a paper I had written
several months ago. A friend of mine had
given a speech as to why she had chosen to join
Toastmasters. Describing herself as a lifelong
learner, not only did she want to overcome the
fear of public speaking, but she also wanted to
meet new people and become a leader. That’s a
tall order. Yet, if you have big goals and you have
the stamina to pursue them, it can be done.
Learning then takes on a whole new meaning.
It’s interesting, we go to school and when we
leave, we have a bank of stored information.
Without adding regularly to that knowledge, we
are likened to a book on our shelves. Instead, if
we use our knowledge to inspire ourselves and
others to learn more, then we can say we are
lifelong learners.
What were your education goals this year?
Have you achieved everything you set out to
do? Are you on tract to read all the books you
wanted? Often it seems like so many things get
in the way of our goals.
What if you viewed learning differently?
Have you thought about experiential learning?
It takes textbook reading to get to the next
level. You start with reading and then continue
with experiential education “. . .it builds on past
knowledge and experiences, encourages collaboration
and exchange of ideas and perspectives, and can take
place in the classroom, in the community, or in the
workplace. . .” [1]
Another way to so it is: “Experiential learning is
an engaged learning process whereby students “learn
by doing” and by reflecting on the experience” [2]
14 ONE COMMUNITY
That sounds like Toastmasters! To keep me
interested, learning needs to impactful, inspiring,
and fun. That’s what I feel about Toastmasters
and that is what I believe about TLI, Toastmasters
Leadership Institute.
So tell me why should I, or anyone, go to
TLI? I’m an officer and I need to keep my officer
skills sharp.
But TLI is more than that. TLI is experiential
in the fact that it allows people to exchange ideas
and collaborate, you can meet people across
the District, United States, and even around the
world, and there are so many things to learn.
Have you looked at the agenda and the number
of sessions offered? Check out the program here.
I have met amazing people at our Virtual
TLI’s who have now become friends. With
Zoom and the internet, I have made friends
across oceans I never would have had we not had
virtual Education. It has allowed me to broaden
my scope on learning. If you have not attended
a TLI and you are curious,
I am planting seeds for my future. Two years
ago, I had no idea what my world would be like
today. With the amount of knowledge TLI offers
and the availability to learn, being a part of it will
prepare me to take the next steps in my journey.
It’s going to be an awesome event; I can’t wait
to meet you there. Let’s talk after and reflect on
our experiences!
[1] ( https://carleton.ca/tls/teachingresources/?p=380, 08/09.18)
[2] (https://www.bu.edu/ctl/guides/experiential-learning/, 2021]