Experience-Based Learning

Students can experience difficulty transferring learned skills from one environment to another.  Therefore, Community-Based Instruction is an integral part of our curriculum at CTC.  Community-Based Instruction allows students to enhance their functional skills within a natural community setting, where such skills are used, in order to ease and enhance transitions to independent living, community participation, and employment. 

A simple visit to a local store could become a great learning experience.  Recently, my middle-aged students paid a visit to TJ Maxx.  The assignment at TJ Maxx was to find items that would complete a "dress up" occasion outfit.  This led to a class discussion about what occasions would require a suit, a tuxedo, or just a dressy shirt.  This discussion led to another discussion about when it was appropriate for a boy or man to wear a tie.  We considered which special occasions required a tie, and also which occasions required us to present our "best self" (possibly with a tie) such as a job interview.

Our discussion culminated in a tie-tying activity where each student was given a necktie and then given verbal and modeling instructions on tying a Windsor Knot.  Each and every boy in the class showed complete interest in the activity and all students were determined to learn this skill.  To remember this fun and useful activity, we took a class picture with each student wearing a tied tie. 

Experience-based learning activities can be used at home and at school.  It’s easy to create great learning experiences where the kids (and you) will have fun!  (Kelly Reilly, Teacher, Celebrate the Children)