Educast 3000 Episode 22: Experiential Learning: How to Change the World

[jsailor]

Welcome back to Educast 3000! In this episode, Ryan and Melissa chat with Alana Heath, co-founder of the organization How to Change the World. Their conversation explores the importance of experiential learning in education, the challenges faced in higher education regarding skills gaps, and the transformative potential of technology and AI in enhancing learning experiences. Alana shares insights on how her organization empowers students to tackle complex social and environmental challenges through hands-on experiences and innovative pedagogical approaches. She emphasizes that sustainability should be integrated into core business practices and highlights the challenges and complexities of creating impactful educational experiences.

Why This Conversation Matters

As AI becomes more prevalent in how we engage with the world through technology, How to Change the World aims to empower students to create positive impacts through experiential learning, noting the critical reminder that AI cannot replace the human experiences in learning. We’d love to hear how you are implementing such practices at your institution. A few questions to get the conversation started:

• How are you implementing experiential learning or other innovative pedagogical approaches and in what ways can AI enhance these without diminishing the depth and nuance of human experience? What do you see as the boundaries between AI's role and the educator’s role in facilitating transformative learning moments?
• How can we design learning environments where AI supports — rather than replaces — critical thinking, empathy, and real-world problem-solving? Where do you think AI should stop and the human touch should take over?
• As AI becomes more embedded in education, how do we ensure that students still develop core human capacities like collaboration, reflection, and ethical reasoning? What strategies might help keep these at the forefront of the learning experience?
• How might AI tools be leveraged to expand access to experiential learning — especially for students who face systemic barriers — while still centering lived experiences and community engagement?

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Here are a few ways to join in:

• Comment Below: Share your biggest takeaway, a question, or your own perspective on this episode’s topic.
• Connect on Social Media: Continue the discussion on your platform of choice and tag with #EduCast3000.
• Spread the Word: If you found this episode valuable, share it with a friend or colleague who’d enjoy it too.

Listen to this episode or get caught up on others you might have missed on Spotify or Apple. You can also view the full transcript in our Community. 

Let’s keep this dialogue going—it’s not just about listening but building a community where ideas grow. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time!