The Impact of Experience-based Learning on Students' Emotional Competency

The use of experiential activities and reflection as methods to enhance social and emotional learning is commonly accepted in higher education. It is believed that through experience-based courses students deepen and possibly alter presently held assumptions when classroom experiences allow students to practice skills and reflect on behaviors that simulate "real-world" situations. However, how is it that experience-based courses develop the emotional competencies necessary for students to effectively manage themselves and others in the workplace and in life? This study examines the impact of a sport event management course on students' emotional competency. Specifically, this study answers the question: Can a semester-long experience-based course increase students' emotional competency when students are not introduced to emotional intelligence theory. The book is addressed to faculty and academic administrators in higher education. Since a popular misconception associated with experiential learning is that the outcomes are subjective and difficult to measure, the results of this study will also be of interest to individuals involved with any form of experiential education.