The Impact of COVID-19 on Experiential Learning in Higher Education

– Study Outcomes from Institutions in Japan –

Abstract

　COVID-19 has profoundly affected teaching and learning in higher education. We conducted an online survey to determine the pandemic’s impact on experiential learning linked to environmental education and outdoor studies in higher education in Japan and other countries for the period January 2020 – March 2021. This study focuses on Japan and reveals that 17.9％ of the classes and programs out of 117 cases were conducted as planned, 26.5％ were cancelled, and 55.6％ were conducted in alternative ways. Although online alternatives were utilized, other measures such as changing the times held and locations were also applied. The study demonstrated the faculty members’ ability to adapt to distress and highlighted the irreplaceability of direct experiential learning. Further, it revealed lasting damage over the continuation of the courses and strategic policies of the institutions. The study discusses the core value of face-to-face experiential learning through communicating with others and draws attention to the need to secure experiential learning under the pandemic with considerations for students’ and faculty’s physical and mental health.