Learning Outside of The Classroom

Seeking formal learning opportunities outside of the classroom gives you a chance to take what you’ve theorized about at your desk in school and test it out in the real world. While you can do this on your own if you’re motivated, structured learning outside of the classroom helps you get the resources you need to broaden your horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the things that you’re passionate about.

One non-profit organization that facilitates such experiential learning is Tilting Futures, which offers immersive learning programs abroad programs. 

Read on to explore the concept of learning outside of the classroom, the benefits it provides, and how Tilting Futures’ immersive learning program called Take Action Lab is helping students like you to learn and grow in new and exciting ways.

What is Learning Outside of the Classroom?

Learning outside of the classroom is also often called experiential learning. It consists of any type of educational experience that takes place outside of a traditional classroom setting. This type of education recognizes that “experience is the best teacher,” and provides students with opportunities to apply the principles they have learned to real-life situations.

This type of education can be formal or informal, structured or unstructured, and can take place in a variety of settings, from museums and parks to community centers and workplaces. It might be made available through field trips, internships, study abroad programs, volunteer work, and other avenues.

What are the benefits of learning outside the classroom?

The benefits of learning outside the classroom are endless. While traditional learning can provide a solid foundation for your education, many students find that taking what they’ve learned out of the classroom is crucial for further growth and understanding. With experiential learning, you can more easily accomplish the following.

Bring Learning to Life

One of the key benefits of outside-classroom learning is the opportunity to gain real-world experience with the subjects you’re studying. While your textbooks and lectures from your teachers can offer a theoretical understanding of the concepts, venturing out into the world allows you to see how those concepts translate into real life. 

This kind of firsthand experience can deepen your understanding of the subject matter, whether it deals with psychology, physics, or philosophy.

For example, if you’re studying marine biology, you’ll gain a much deeper understanding of the subject by participating in a hands-on research project at a local aquarium or marine biology lab than you would in a classroom. 

These kinds of experiences also make the material more interesting. You have more of a chance to be an active participant in your education instead of passively memorizing facts, and you can make more connections and contributions of your own. 

Jumpstart Your Career

Learning opportunities outside of the classroom can be especially valuable if you are considering a career in a specific industry, as you can gain hands-on experience and work with professionals in that field. This provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable insights and advice from people who have already achieved success, and these connections may even lead to internships and job opportunities down the line.

Build Critical Life Skills

Additionally, outside-classroom learning can help you develop important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. These skills are essential for success both in school and in the workplace and can be difficult to develop solely through classroom learning.

Through the right kind of immersive experiential learning, you might also have the opportunity to develop critical life skills such as empathy and self-awareness alongside practical skills like budgeting and time management.

Foster Cultural Understanding

Depending on your alternative learning experience, you might also have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture. Interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds will help you cultivate more empathy, tolerance, and understanding. These skills are vital in today’s interconnected world and will help you expand your worldview and gain more cultural competence and awareness, which will make you a better global citizen.

Grow Your Passion

Learning outside of the classroom can also help you discover and contribute to causes you are passionate about. By engaging in internships, volunteering, or participating in a study abroad program, you can align your interests with meaningful projects and initiatives. This not only fuels your personal growth but also empowers you to make a positive impact on the world.