WINONA LAKE – Knowing that learning can happen outside the four walls of a classroom, Grace College is implementing the Applied Learning program.
“I think the program is designed to say, number one, we believe that learning doesn’t take place just within four walls. It can take place anywhere,” said Steve Carlson, Grace registrar. “Applied Learning gives a chance for students to go out in the community more than they already are.”
Beginning Jan. 1, Grace students must complete 12 credits of Applied Learning to graduate. One credit equals 40 hours of service.
According to Grace President Dr. Ron Manahan, a couple of years ago there was a group appointed to conceptualize a new way of doing the undergraduate degree. Students would be required to fulfill the same number of credit hours, but the components would change.
One idea that came about was the Applied Learning recommendation. After review, the Applied Learning program was approved by the board of trustees.
Carlson said it was a little less than two years ago that 30 to 35 people sat in a room and reimagined what Grace could be and what they wanted it to be. Some things wouldn’t change, like the college being Christ-centered, but the group wanted to get students out of the four walls of the classroom.
“I think students are excited about it. I think this generation of students are ‘roll up their sleeves and do it.’ To take learning out of the classroom is very exciting to them,” Carlson said.
Manahan said the program gets students learning experiences where they can apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. It’s non-traditional because students aren’t sitting in a classroom with a textbook.
Grace had Applied Learning in some areas for years, like student teaching. However, Manahan said, the college wanted to broaden that experience to all students.
“It could include an internship experience, but it could be broader than that,” Manahan said.
Manahan said the Applied Learning program is intended to include a broader range of experiences. The experiences will help students expand their knowledge of their area while earning real credit. The credit hours earned would depend on the scope, breadth and experience.
“We want it to be real learning in the actual practice of what they’re doing,” Manahan said.
“Grace has always had internships and field experience but it was limited to a few departments. Now we’re saying students need it to graduate,” he said.
In a four-year program, a student has to have 120 semester hours to graduate.
Starting in January, the Applied Learning requirement will be applied to new students coming in this fall. For sophomores through seniors, it will be pro-rated but not required for them to graduate, Manahan said.
Carlson said there are 340 new students this year that will have to participate in the program to graduate. Each year, the program will grow with more students participating.
Grace College hired Randy Polston as the director of the program. Polston said his role and responsibilities are to create the program and get it up and running. He started his job Aug. 1 and made a timeline for himself of what he needed to do to make the program a reality.
Polston said he’s made contact with his resources in the community and beyond to participate in the program. So far, Grace has opportunities for students ranging from the county probation department to Heartline Pregnancy Center and even the South Bend airport.
“My task right now is to create an Applied Learning network,” Polston said. “If any business I connect with is willing to participate, I add them to my network list. Then I add a description of what the students will experience and it will be a course description.”
Polston’s network confirmation list will be ready for second-semester registration for students. A student applies to work with the employers. A student working with one of the organizations sets up their schedule with them. There will be an assessment, Polston said.
The roles and responsibilities of the student, organization and faculty of record will all be spelled out.
Polston’s list of participating organizations is ongoing and growing. Businesses can have a say in how many students they take on. Polston said he wants to make the program is a win-win for everyone involved.
“Hopefully,” Manahan said about the program, “it’ll be a good experience for the students, help build their resume, show they’ve had exposure and experiences, and close the gap” between what employers need and what employees have learned in school.
As for evaluation of the program, Manahan said Grace has an overall academic assessment program. Part of the assessment is feedback the college gets on how well students do. Hopefully, he said, it’s a learning experience for all parties involved and it’ll get better as it goes along.
“We have been told by those who hire people that such a move is very important,” Manahan said.
“We’re excited to be having that opportunity,” Manahan said. “We think with the economic condition we’re all living through and no quick fix on the horizon, we think it’s important graduates be a contributor to where they work more quickly than they would otherwise.”
Carlson said Grace wants the students’ feedback as well. They want to make sure students learn at good sites that will help them develop.
He also said they will seek the feedback of the organizations that provide the opportunities for students. Carlson said they want to make sure the site is in line with the students’ major and career goals.
“I think it’s going to make education exciting,” said Carlson of the program.
Polston said, “I’m excited at the prospect of all these students wanting these experiences.”
To contact Polston, call 574-372-5100, Ext. 6416, or e-mail randy.polston@grace.edu
