Applied Learning Projects
Resources
- The National Wildlife Fund EcoLeaders Resource Library: Geared towards students the library includes many resources including a project planning template and a project planning resources library
- Essential Project Design Elements: Seven design elements to help you design your project.
- Project Based Teaching Practices: Practices that can help you integrate project based learning into your classes.
- A Guide for Applied Sustainability Learning Projects: This guide provides a step-by-step framework for how a program for applied learning for sustainability can be designed, launched, and scaled.
Best Practices
Students
- Make contacts with staff as early as possible.(Not waiting until “last minute” to contact staff.
- Have requests for data that are well thought out. Ask for specific data.
- Take the project seriously and give it enough time and attention in order for it to be useful to staff and the campus community.
Faculty
- Make contacts with staff as early as possible.
- Coordinate with staff before the syllabus is finalized so that staff have plenty of time to plan and prepare for lectures/tours etc. and so that they can provide input on needed or applicable projects.
- Include projects that can be completed in one semester or that can be carried out the following semester so that projects do not go unfinished.
- Assigning projects that have staff input, coordination and guidance so that there aren’t requests for brainstorming and project generation from many students to the same staff.
- Providing adequate oversight when students are working “in the field” during class time on a project.
- Consistent communication with staff and students.
- Setting expectations for a high quality deliverable.
Staff
Responding to faculty/student communication in a timely fashion.