About Us

WHAT IS IMMERSIVE LEARNING?

Immersive Outdoor Learning is a high-impact practice that integrates experiential and place-based pedagogies, engaging students in education that extends beyond the traditional classroom and focuses on incorporating student’s feelings, thoughts, and values into the learning process. Experiences are designed to empower students to take responsibility for their learning, and to become more informed about conditions affecting their local and global communities. Field-based excursions center place and local resources as a foundation for learning across disciplines. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a result of participation in an Immersive Outdoor Learning Course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate how immersive outdoor experiences enhance discipline-specific learning.
  2. Articulate how immersive outdoor learning experiences foster personal growth and relationships.
  3. Apply discipline-specific knowledge and outdoor learning experiences to civic, environmental, and social questions.

COURSE PARTNERSHIPS

Immersive Outdoor Learning offers various models for faculty and their students to achieve unique learning outcomes. Each semester IOL collaborates with faculty from across the university to facilitate experiences. These can take the form of lab sessions, field excursions, presentations, and other experiential outings. Examples Courses include:

  • Nature Writing or The Naturalists Lens: Reading & Writing in the NW, (English)
  • Environmental History or Parks, Forest, & Wilderness, (Environmental Science)
  • Outdoor Leadership or Christian Leadership (Religion and Leadership)
  • Field Studies in Biodiversity or Mountain Science (Biology)
  • Environmental Engineering or Water Treatment Processes (Engineering)

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: MATT EDENFIELD

Matt Edenfield, completed his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from 91³Ô¹ÏÍø in 2020.  His professional areas of interests include: interdisciplinary collaborations, environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion, service learning and learning transfer.  Before becoming a Zag, Matt worked for Outward Bound as Course Director and Staff Trainer.  When he’s not working Matt can be found enjoying alpine granite cracks, live funky jams, deep powder, delicious baked goods and time with family.