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IMPACT Learning Journey

Rows of Pillars

The Five IMPACT Pillars

The Five Pillars are the foundation for building authentic, purposeful, and impactful education. All IMPACT Agents work with their IMPACT Guides and cohorts to establish individualized learning journeys based on a personal passion. As a result, Agents engage in integrated, well-rounded and fulfilling learning projects through the Five Pillars, exposing them to meaningful, real-world experiences that contribute to their academic, personal, and professional growth.

Basecamp

At Basecamp, students engage in foundational learning that covers essential content, concepts, skills, and standards. This means that students acquire a strong understanding of the core principles of various subjects. This understanding serves as a solid base for further advanced studies and practical applications in their chosen fields.

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"Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."

 -Alexander Graham Bell

IMPACT Learning Journey

  • Internships & apprenticeships

  • Community service & stewardship

  • Global issues networking

  • Culture & identity

  • Passion projects

  • Capstone

Experience

Emphasizes learning through hands-on experiences, active participation, and reflection. It goes beyond traditional classroom instruction by immersing learners in real-world scenarios where they can directly apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. The value of experiential learning lies in its ability to deeply engage learners, enhance understanding, and foster a range of skills and attitudes.

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"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

- Confucius

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  • Observation

  • Formative  assessment

  • Metacognition & iteration

  • Growth mindset

  • No Box

White Feather

  • Fieldwork

  • Authentic research

  • Practice

  • Project design

  • Core curriculum via accredited online programs and virtual classes

  • Coaching, mentoring, advising

  • Research & project prep

Expedition

Emphasizes immersive, real-world experiences as a central part of the learning process. It aims to connect learning and understanding with practical application in unpredictable situations. The concept is rooted in the idea that students learn best when they are actively engaged, challenged, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in authentic contexts.

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 “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ― Pablo Picasso


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Reflection

Reflection is indeed a critical aspect of 21st-century learning. It involves consciously thinking about and evaluating one's learning experiences, actions, and thought processes. This practice allows learners to understand the material and their learning strategies better.

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“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” 
― Søren Kierkegaard

Basecamp, Experience, Expedition

1

Basecamp
 

Key elements of Basecamp include:

  1. Personalized and Customized Accredited Course and Credit Delivery Strategies: Basecamp focuses on tailoring the learning experience to individual students. This means that each student's unique strengths, interests, and learning styles are taken into consideration when designing their courses. These courses are accredited, meaning they meet certain educational standards and are recognized by relevant educational bodies.

  2. 1:1 Coaching and Advisory: Basecamp offers personalized guidance through one-on-one coaching and advisory support. This means that students have access to mentors, instructors, or advisors who provide individualized assistance. These mentors can offer academic guidance, clarify complex concepts, and provide advice on both educational and career pathways.

  3. Self-paced Learning: Basecamp's self-paced learning approach allows students to progress through their courses at their own speed. This flexibility is particularly valuable for students with varying schedules, learning preferences, or commitments outside of their education. Self-paced learning ensures that students have a thorough understanding of each topic before moving on to the next.

  4. Early College Courses: Early college courses provided by Basecamp offer high school students the opportunity to take advanced courses that grant college credits. This helps bridge the gap between high school and college, allowing students to experience higher-level academic content and earn college credits before officially enrolling in a university. These courses can contribute to a smoother transition to higher education.

  5. Foundational Learning and Understanding: At Basecamp, students engage in foundational learning that covers essential content, concepts, skills, and standards. This means that students acquire a strong understanding of the core principles of various subjects. This understanding serves as a solid base for further advanced studies and practical applications in their chosen fields.

 

In summary, Basecamp's educational model seems to prioritize individualized learning experiences that encompass tailored courses, direct support through coaching and advisory services, and the flexibility of self-paced learning. The inclusion of early college courses and a focus on building a strong foundation in various subjects underscores the goal of preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. It's an approach that aims to combine academic rigor with personalized support to help students achieve their educational and career aspirations.

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Experience

​Key elements of Experiential Learning include:

  1. Active Engagement: Experiential learning encourages active participation. Instead of passive listening or reading, learners actively interact with the subject matter. This engagement helps improve comprehension and retention of concepts.

  2. Real-world Application: Experiential learning bridges the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application. Learners can see how concepts work in practice, making the learning experience more relevant and meaningful.

  3. Problem-Solving Skills: When engaging in experiential learning, learners often encounter challenges and problems that require critical thinking and problem-solving. This hones their ability to analyze situations, think creatively, and develop practical solutions.

  4. Skills Development: Experiential learning allows learners to develop practical skills that are transferable to various contexts. These skills can include communication, teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and time management.

  5. Deeper Understanding: Through direct experience, learners gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. They can explore nuances, complexities, and intricacies that might not be apparent through traditional learning methods.

  6. Emotional Connection: Experiential learning elicits emotions and personal connections to the content. This emotional engagement can enhance memory retention and the overall learning experience.

  7. Joy of Learning: Experiencing success or overcoming challenges during hands-on projects can spark a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This positive reinforcement fosters a genuine joy for learning.

  8. Increased Motivation: Learners are often more motivated to engage with subjects that have practical relevance and personal meaning. Experiential learning taps into this intrinsic motivation.

  9. Preparation for Real Life: Experiential learning prepares learners for real-life situations they might encounter in their careers or personal lives. It helps build confidence in applying knowledge and skills in practical scenarios.

  10. Reflection and Feedback: Experiential learning encourages learners to reflect on their experiences, analyze outcomes, and learn from both successes and failures. This reflective practice enhances self-awareness and continuous improvement.

  11. Holistic Learning: Experiential learning can integrate multiple disciplines and skills, promoting a holistic understanding of complex topics that require interdisciplinary knowledge.

  12. Long-lasting Impact: The memorable experiences gained through experiential learning tend to stick with learners over time. This can have a lasting impact on their personal and professional development.

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In summary, experiential learning enriches education by providing learners with immersive, practical experiences that lead to deeper understanding, skill development, and personal growth. Through active engagement and real-world application, learners unleash the true joy of learning and become better equipped to tackle challenges in their educational journey and beyond.

3

Expedition

Key elements of Expeditionary Learning include:

  1. Experiential Learning: Expeditionary Learning places a strong emphasis on learning by doing. It involves hands-on, experiential activities that take students out of the classroom and into real-world settings. This could involve field trips, outdoor adventures, service projects, and more.

  2. Real-World Application: The heart of Expeditionary Learning lies in applying academic concepts and skills to real-world situations. Students are encouraged to explore how what they learn in the classroom can be used to solve problems, contribute to their community, or address complex challenges.

  3. Unpredictable Situations: Expeditionary Learning intentionally exposes students to unpredictable situations and challenges. This helps develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills as students navigate unfamiliar terrain, scenarios, and issues.

  4. Entrepreneurship: Expeditionary Learning often incorporates entrepreneurial activities, where students have the opportunity to create and develop their own projects, initiatives, or solutions. This encourages creativity, innovation, and a sense of ownership over their learning.

  5. Internships and Expert Collaboration: Students might engage in internships, work with professionals, or collaborate with experts in various fields. This allows them to learn from real practitioners, gain insights into specific industries, and apply classroom knowledge in professional settings.

  6. In-Depth Research and Development: Expeditionary Learning encourages students to delve deeply into topics of interest. This could involve conducting extensive research, investigating complex issues, and developing a deep understanding of subject matter.

  7. Impactful Projects: Students are often tasked with projects that have a tangible impact on their communities or the wider world. These projects can range from community service initiatives to scientific research, giving students a sense of purpose and contribution.

  8. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: By engaging with real-world challenges, students develop critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze problems from multiple angles. They learn to develop creative solutions and make informed decisions.

  9. Collaboration and Communication: Expeditionary Learning often involves teamwork and collaborative projects. Students learn to communicate effectively, share ideas, and work together to achieve common goals.

  10. Reflection and Growth: After each experiential project or expedition, students engage in reflection, discussing what they've learned, the challenges they've faced, and how they've grown. This reflective practice enhances self-awareness and continuous improvement.

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In essence, Expeditionary Learning seeks to create well-rounded, engaged learners who are prepared for the complexities of the real world. By providing opportunities to apply classroom learning in meaningful and unpredictable contexts, this approach nurtures skills, attitudes, and knowledge that go beyond traditional textbook education.

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