Experiential Learning in Antioch College's Work-Based Learning Program as a Vehicle for Social and Emotional Development for Gifted College Students

Abstract

The authors explore how academically gifted students might pursue social and emotional development and the search for meaning through experiential learning, including service-learning and cooperative education work experiences. Antioch College's 75 years of experience alternating study semesters with full-time work semesters offer one model. Themes that emerged from interviews with six academically gifted students at Antioch included: recognition of their responsibility for learning and the joy they drew from it, the unique challenges made possible through cooperative education, the chance to learn more from peers who are also having such challenging learning experiences, and the opportunity to be part of a “community of hope.“