Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning 

By 

Calista Ruiz 

        There is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin that I have kept near and dear to my heart since I started my career in education.

It’s because of this specific quote that I try to make every learning experience just that…an experience. Experiential learning is the kind of learning where students apply their knowledge, skills, and understanding of real world situations while the instructor facilitates. ("Experiential Learning Defined | Faculty Innovation Center," n.d.) This style of teaching does not completely cut the instructor out of the picture. The instructor gives the students the necessary tools to complete the assignment, project, task, etc. and the desired result, but the students must “find their way” to a successful result. Experiential learning falls under the Constructivism learning model. Constructivism learning occurs when an individual is engaged in learning by drawing from their own personal experiences or background. ("Experiential Learning Defined | Faculty Innovation Center," n.d.) The lessons provided in this learning model are designed specifically so the student will be motivated to look for new knowledge and maybe discover a new skill in themselves. ("Experiential Learning Defined | Faculty Innovation Center," n.d.)

A popular example of this theory includes David Kolb’s Experiential Learning theory which works on two levels. The two levels are a four stage cycle of learning and four separate learning styles. ("Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology," n.d.) Kolb himself has said that, “Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.” ("Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology," n.d.) Kolb believed that learning was way more involved than any of us can fathom. It involves obtaining knowledge of abstract concepts which could later be applies in a multitude of situations. Kolb also believed that the driving force of these new concepts and skills we gain happens when we are provided with new experiences. 

Let’s look into Kolb’s theory a little closer. The first part of this theory is the Experiential Learning Cycle. This cycle has 4 stages which the students must participate in , in order to be considered successful. The stages are: 

1. Concrete Experience ( Having an experience) 
2. Reflective Observation ( Reflecting on the experience) 
3. Abstract Conceptualism ( Learning from the experience) 
4. Active Experimentation (Trying out what was learned) 

("Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology," n.d.)

An example of this at work would be taking students on a field trip to observe animals, an internship, or even studying abroad. 

According to Kolb, when an individual has progressed through this cycle of four stages, effective learning has occurred. ("Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology," n.d.)  By progressing through the stages, whatever is experienced in one stage feeds into the next. 

The second part to Kolb’s theory is of course his four distinct learning styles which include: 

1. Diverging (Feeling/Watching) - An example of this would be a person who watches first, gathers information, processes it, then puts it into action.
2. Assimilating (Watching/Thinking) - This is the kind of style where people would prefer lectures, readings, and analyzing. 
3. Converging (Doing/ Thinking) - This kind of style is for the more technical person. This involves more experimentation and stimulation.  
4. Accommodating  (Doing/ Feeling) - For a more tactile approach, this would be the perfect style. This is for the more of a “get your hands dirty” type of approach to solving problems. 

For a more in depth explanation on the learning styles, click here

("Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology," n.d.)

Now, this is where it gets even more interesting! Depending on whatever learning style you choose, you still go through the experiential learning cycle, just in a different way. Let’s use me as an example. I would say I am a Diverging Learner. As a dancer, I like to watch the instructor or choreographer perform a combination and then I try it out after. Taking the class or rehearsing, I would be having the experience, after watching the dance combination I would reflect on the experience, then I would attempt the combination and improve my technique or fix a mistake which would be learning from the experience, and then finally when I have mastered the combination I could apply what I’ve learned to future dances. 

Experiential learning holds such high promise and success rates in that it inspires and motivates students to try their best. It teaches them to be independent thinkers and in the end,they learn to appreciate the challenge and the time it takes to research and the amount of work that goes into the task. It is this kind of learning that motivates students to hold higher standards for themselves, and encourages them to think outside the box. It is a very creative way to get the mind working, and it provides a fun learning experience for all learning styles. 

References

Retrieved from https://nu.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_40320_1&content_id=_2756663_1&mode=reset

Experiential Learning Defined | Faculty Innovation Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://facultyinnovate.utexas.edu/teaching/engagement/experiential-learning/defined

Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html