A local economy centre as experiential learning

Experiential learning can generate significant learning gains to students and deliver development benefits to the community. However, economists have been slow to embrace an experiential learning pedagogy where students experience events and integrate these events with their understanding of theory. When economists have employed experiential teaching techniques, it has been linked to a single course. A local economy centre (LEC) represents a new type of experiential learning opportunity that is scalable and replicable, and can mutually benefit students and the community. A LEC provides experiential learning outside of a course experience in a way that allows for a responsive relationship with the community and development of deep learning over a multiple year cycle. In our paper we begin with a discussion of what experiential learning is and the benefits to students and the community. We then describe the specifics of a LEC as a form of experiential learning where students collect and interpret economic data and conditions that are specific to a local community. We conclude with a discussion of how to adopt such a programme at other institutions.