Experiential and Hands-on Learning with CATalyst Studios

We recommend the following as you begin planning to integrate or create a course with support from CATalyst Studios:

1. Identify a course that could be updated or designed to incorporate experiential learning
2. Review the syllabus to identify an assignment or project to work with us on, paying attention to when it falls in the syllabus so you can create a timeline that is feasible for students
3. Request a consultation with the Experiential Learning Librarian. A consultation may include a tour of CATalyst Studios, a review of what an instructor envisions for the course, and a conversation about what kinds of support, access, and learning opportunities CATalyst staff can provide for students
4. Consider what learning outcomes, skills, and products you want your students to achieve. This may include rethinking what products you've had students create in the past (essays, research papers, digital artifacts, physical objects), adapting what you want students to take away from the course, and incorporating different forms of literacy or mastery focusing on skills that students will use for the rest of their academic and professional career. We recommend reviewing the Maker Competencies developed by the University of Texas Arlington for ideas: https://library.uta.edu/makerliteracies/competencies
5. Schedule course visits, workshops, or other forms of engagement with CATalyst spaces and staff. Please make your request as far in advance as possible, with at least two weeks advance notice. Demand for curricular engagement and other creative programs increases each semester so our calendar fills up quickly
6. Create an assessment plan for the assignment, and consider creating opportunities for reflective check-ins, student debriefs, peer feedback, or other ways to ensure students are keeping up with the work and getting what they need from the assignment
7. Schedule a debrief with the Experiential Learning Librarian at the end of the semester to assess what went well and what could be improved. Determine if there are any changes that could address any pain points and make a plan on how to iterate curricular engagement in future semesters