Association for Experiential Education Frequently Asked Questions
What is experiential education?
Experiential education is a philosophy and methodology in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills and clarify values. We invite you to engage in the ongoing conversation about what defines experiential education. To begin the conversation, AEE provides this official definition.
What is the Association for Experiential Education (AEE)?
The Association for Experiential Education is a nonprofit, professional membership organization that supports the highest caliber of professionals in the fields of experiential education. AEE has been transforming education since 1972 and currently has 1,550 members in 33 countries engaged in more than 15 areas of professional practice. Collectively, our members impact more than 500,000 learners annually.
Who typically belongs to AEE?
People and organizations interested in or practicing experiential education are from the following fields…
-
Education
- Elementary and high schools
- Higher education
- Faculty of education
- Faculty of recreation and leisure
- Youth Programming
- Mental Health, Residential Treatment Addiction or Recovery
- Social Justice
- Wilderness and Adventure Companies
- Therapeutic Adventure or Wilderness Therapy
- Environmental Education
- Organizational and Corporate Training or Consulting
- Service Learning
- Parks and Recreation
- Camps and Outdoor Centers
How would you benefit from joining AEE?
AEE supports the professional development of experiential educators by:
- Providing opportunities for professionals to network and connect
- Hosting 1 international, 8 regional and 1 research conference annually
- Keeping members current with newsletters, research and evaluation initiatives, and social networking
- Providing ways to contribute and give back to experiential education
- Publishing the scholarly, peer-reviewed Journal of Experiential Education
- Standard-setting and evaluation through our Accreditation Program to promote best practices and increase the integrity of programs
- Connecting employers and employees via the AEE online Job Board
- Providing additional opportunities to network through regional, profession- and affiliation-based groups that host conferences, newsletters and workshops
- Promoting and advocating for the fields of EE with a unified and informed voice
- Saving members money with discounts and pro-deals on gear, books, trainings and more
- Providing exposure with a listing in and access to AEE's online Member Directory
What do members say about AEE? (March 2009 member survey):
“AEE has been the most consistent element of professional development in my 13 years of working in the field.”
“I get tons of professional as well as personal development, I get to meet new people, network, share best practices, see old friends, recharge and have lots of FUN.”
“Networking, ideas, professional development and job leads”
“AEE is my primary professional support organization and provides me with a multitude of resources for the work that I do.”
“I feel very well served by AEE.”
“I feel like I am supported in my professional development through AEE.”
“Presenting at an AEE conference carries weight and gives you credibility.”
“The international conference is a great way to be updated with the latest developments in the industry.”
“I came back with many great tools from the international conference that I attended.”
“The accreditation program is the single most valuable professional development that I have found.”
“The journal is great... I also appreciate the online bookstore.”
Where is the next conference?
Montreal, Quebec, CANADA!!
What type of sessions will be offered?
Please see the list of workshops. They were separated into these tracks in 2009:
- Facilitation/Processing
- Mind/Body/Spirit
- Program Administration/Business Development
- Research & Evaluation
- Schools & Colleges: Higher Education
- Schools & Colleges: K-12
- Social Justice & Ethics
- Therapeutic Adventure/Adventure Therapy
- Adventure-Based Programming
- Experience-Based Training & Development
Do I practice experiential education?
Experiential education is practiced in many professional focus areas. Find out how experiential education works for you in your chosen profession.
Why should I become a member of the Association for Experiential Education?
Some of our members have told us their reason. We also provide many benefits to our members.
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