Immersion Learning at Aphasia Camp : Analyzing Student Video Reflections

Abstract

There is an increasing emphasis on the importance and value of immersion experiences at the collegiate level. The Chippewa Valley Aphasia Camp is a multi-day immersive experience during which students participate in meaningful conversations with individuals with aphasia and their partners. As a partnership between Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, the camp provides reciprocal benefits to students and individuals affected by aphasia. Student volunteers participated in the camp weekend by supporting adults with aphasia, and by helping to facilitate communication, participation, and relationships. Each evening of the camp, students reflected on the day's experiences by recording themselves via iPad. Reflections on immersion experiences can facilitate application to coursework as well as to future careers. Additionally, video self-reflections are effective assessments of growth and learning. Fifty-eight videos from twenty students across three days were transcribed and coded according to nine a priori categories established by previous aphasia camp immersion research (Hoepner, Clark, Sather & Knutson, 2012). Results of this qualitative analysis support the aphasia camp as an environment that promotes student learning, growth, and application of current and future course content. Additionally, benefits of video self-reflection are discussed.