{"id":5142,"date":"2010-03-04T16:10:13","date_gmt":"2010-03-04T16:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/?p=5142"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:27:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:27:16","slug":"hands-on-learning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/ias\/undergraduate\/hands-on-learning","title":{"rendered":"Experiential (“hands-on”) learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Experiential learning means learning by doing<\/strong>. It describes activities that allow you to take what you learn in class and apply it in real-world settings through internships, research, community projects, study abroad, and more. These hands-on learning experiences help you build practical skills, explore your interests, and gain confidence so you\u2019re ready for what comes after college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All IAS degrees and courses are grounded in the belief that hands-on practice should be a central element of learning. Experiential learning in this context does more than just supplement classroom instruction. It provides the core of the interdisciplinary, problem-based educational philosophy of IAS and its faculty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interdisciplinary Practice & Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

About the IPR requirement <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For our undergraduate students, hands-on learning is built into our Interdisciplinary Practice & Reflection (IPR) core requirement. Each of our academic majors require that students complete at least one IPR course before they graduate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this section: Research<\/a> | Seminars<\/a> | Internships<\/a> | Peer Facilitation<\/a> | Study Abroad<\/a> | Media Workshops<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IPR courses allow students to complete a project that draws on their academic interests and furthers their life ambitions. The project might be a seminar paper in a particular area of study; an academic internship in a relevant field; a service-learning project that builds on the student’s academic work; a study abroad opportunity; an art and media project or production; or independent study in collaboration with a faculty member. The IPR requirement asks students to reflect on the value, challenges, and effectiveness of their work in relation to their undergraduate education as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Advanced Research Opportunities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

An IPR option for students who want to conduct research or work independently on a project under faculty mentorship.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n