The experiential learning approach is the process of learning by doing. By engaging students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they are able to understand and acknowledge the theories and concepts better. As stated by Queen’s University, “experiential education is a philosophy that informs many methodologies in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people’s capacity to contribute to their communities” (Queen’s University, 2022). Experiential learning occurs through carefully chosen experiences that are supported by proper analysis, reflection, and synthesis (Queen’s University, 2022). It’s an approach that encourages the students to take the initiative, make decisions and be held for the consequences of those decisions. Throughout the experiential learning process, the learner is actively engaged in the material, maintaining curiosity, solving problems, assuming responsibility, being creative, and constructing meaning (Queen’s University, 2022).
The most common framework for experiential learning is focused on the work of David Kolb. Kolb’s experiential learning cycle guides the development of experiential learning activities (Queen’s University, 2022). It is made up of four concepts that outline the process of a learner’s experience. Active experimentation focuses on the priority of planning and the effort of trying to figure out what you’ve learned. Next, the concrete experience is focused on doing and having the experience of physically working on that particular lesson/activity. Reflective observation is the concept of reviewing and reflecting on the experience. Lastly, the abstract conceptualisation grasps the concluding message of what the learners have grasped from the experiment (Queen’s University, 2022).
The experiential learning approach does align with our method of teaching. As experiential learning is concentrated on the physical hands-on integration of teaching and learning, our lesson has incorporated a virtual verbal and physical approach to enhancing the skills of learners.
Here is David Kolb’s model:
Hi Claire! After reading your post I learned that experiential learning is a more interesting way to learn than generalized direct instruction. Learners can learn by doing with curiosity to explore problems, discover and solve problems in practice. This method pays more attention to the learner’s autonomy and participation, which can greatly improve the learner’s enthusiasm for learning. David Kolb’s model you gave also easily and clearly describes the process of this learning method. I am very interested in this learning method, and I will try this learning method to learn new things in the future!
Good overview of the experiential learning approach! I appreciate that you put it in your own words. It would be helpful if you could provide specific examples of how experiential learning, e.g., David Kolb. Kolb’s model, can be applied in a real classroom. When you provide direct citations from the original text, please add the exact page/paragraph it was taken from. All in-text citations with links to the original source should also be included in a reference list at the end.Â
Hi Claire!
Thank you for sharing the outline of experiential learning. I really like this approach because it focuses much more on the learner and experience, they will have rather than the direct content itself. I think gathering information at all aspects of learning is the most efficient way to lead to successful transmission of information. David Kolb’s model makes it extremely easy to follow along this learning approach!
Caitlin