Experiential Learning

Practice makes perfect

"Experiential learning" is proving to be the fastest, most effective way to train students on rapidly changing knowledge and skills in the Information Technology field. Hands-on virtual labs are ideal for learning practical skills where students need the freedom to experiment, test their current skills, and gain competencies far beyond theory.

These virtual labs are an essential part of many of our IT courses. Through a special website, you get live access to real equipment and software. Unlike simulations, virtual labs allow for learning by doing in a 'trial-and-error' fashion—much like learning to ride a bicycle. All you need is an Internet-connected web browser. The labs are available 24/7 from anywhere.

Overview

The University's virtual labs enable students to achieve a "technology apprenticeship," while still in school. These labs are developed by professional IT practitioners in order to provide the most realistic, up-to-the-moment IT environment for our students.

We provide the industry's most advanced experiential learning labs through three unique platforms:

• Personal Student Desktop – Your own personal web-based IT workspace, including a software library and online data storage.
• Live Labs–Remote hands - on labs with live equipment via a web-based anytime, anywhere interface.
• Interactive Scenarios – A collection of avatar-based case studies, including "day-in-the-life" experiences, virtual worlds and live data centers.

Remote, live labs

Our remote, hands-on labs use live equipment via a web-based anytime, anywhere interface. The labs are "live" because the equipment is real. Some define "labs" as merely access to equipment. At University of Phoenix, we define "labs" as experiential learning in which a student steps through a series of guided actions, works through real-world case studies, and actively controls live equipment and applications.

Assignments include case studies that reflect true-to-life situations to develop the logic and troubleshooting skills necessary to solve day-to-day IT challenges.

Interactive Scenarios

Interactive scenarios are the next revolution of experiential learning. These "day-in-the-life" experiences start with a story. Students are given a real-life situation, and are guided through a virtual world filled with virtual people. This virtual world conveys to students that the skills they are learning have realistic implications and real-world applications.

A question isn't asked for its own sake, nor is technology deployed and configured for its own sake. It is this experience that brings relevance and authenticity to the scenarios.

A "Day in the Life" of an IT Professional / Developer / Consultant

In Scenario 1 of an IT Administration course, for example, it is your first day as ACME's Jr. Network Administrator. You've just been promoted from the Help Desk. Your phone rings. The Sales Director in Chicago has some new employees who need your help. Over the next 17 scenarios, several virtual months will pass, and you will solve innumerable network problems. Along the way, you will get a promotion, move to Chicago, make new friends, and gain tremendous experience in ACME's live server room.

In our virtual world, you get to be an IT Professional / Developer / Consultant.

Each journey into this virtual world starts in your office. You may take a trip on the road (with your mobile PDA) or stay in the building and attend a meeting in the conference room. From time to time, you may even want to meander into the break room or enjoy lunch at a local virtual restaurant, where you may gain valuable insights from co-workers.

Within the virtual workspace, intelligent avatars will engage with you using everyday office tools such as desktop phones, cell phones, email, and a pager. You gather critical scenario data using playbooks, policy manuals, file folders, and conversations. In addition to the proactive data gathering, you'll attend meetings in conference rooms with several co-workers and provide interactive feedback to them via an intelligence responder.

All interactive scenarios include performance-based assessments to track your progress. These experiential learning scenarios go a long way toward helping you commit what you learned in class to your long-term memory. This ensures a higher level of skills retention—a key element of effective learning.