Leveraging the power of experiential learning to achieve higher-order proficiencies

Although experiential learning approaches, such as service-learning, have been shown to increase student motivation and academic achievement, faculty concerns about the costs of developing and implementing such courses have limited their adoption within economics. One cost that can be eliminated is the opportunity cost typically associated with “required” reflection exercises that are often perceived as taking time away from economic instruction. This article contributes to the existing literature by introducing a reflection mechanism based on programmatically appropriate project-management reports. This approach not only links experience and course content, essential elements of service-learning best-practice, but also facilitates the successful management of a complex project, thereby contributing to the development of higher-order proficiencies.