Making Life Part of the Curriculum

How does a 19th Century Maori war chant figure into the college aspirations of a bunch of student athletes in El Segundo? Just another means of preparing students — not just for college, but for life, suggests Dan Golden, who was recently hired for the new position of director of life planning and experiential learning at the private Vistamar School in El Segundo.

Experiential education as envisioned by Vistamar attempts to create more well-rounded students by translating “nonacademic skills, habits and perspectives into academic achievement” — in other words, learning from everyday experience. The school is working to prepare its students not just for college but the world beyond.

making life part of the curriculum
( Los Angeles Times ) (02-Jan-2008)