Experiential Learning in the Digital Classroom to Improve Outcomes Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the utility and process for integrating an experiential service-learning experience that promotes diversity and inclusion into an online learning environment. Experiential education and service-learning opportunities have been found to be a successful means for students to interact with individuals from different backgrounds and improve their cultural awareness. Given the promise for experiential education to address and improve outcomes related to DEI, it is worthwhile to investigate ways to integrate these activities into online courses. This chapter aims to: (1) introduce the benefits of experiential education and rationale for its inclusion as a practice to improve outcomes related to diversity and inclusion, (2) provide an overview of the potential of e-service learning as a means to do this, (3) share an example e-service-learning project