I have decided to write on experiential learning, since as mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, this is the way that I learn best. Experiential learning is best described as “the process of learning through experience” and “learning through reflection on doing”. I have linked two different videos below which should help understand how experiential learning works, and why it is important. The first is a TedTalk on YouTube which is a great video, not necessarily to present in a classroom, but to watch and recognize the benefits of experiential learning. The second is a shorter video which presents more basic information on what exactly this kind of learning entails.
Experiential learning can be shown in a visual cycle by David Kolb which includes four main aspects:
- Concrete Experience
- Reflective Observation
- Abstract Conceptualization
- Active Experimentation
We can think of these four steps as Do, Review, Conclude and Plan. Concrete Experience refers to the actual experience that you are having or what you are doing. Reflective Observation refers to your reflection or review of the experience that you just had. Abstract Conceptualization refers to the end of your experience and thinking about what learning was achieved. Finally, active experimentation refers to the planning of how you choose to apply your newly learned information.
So, if we were to take these four steps and apply them to a real life example, it might look something like this:
Do: A child is learning how to skate. They will put their skates on and go into the ice rink. They might struggle and slip.
Review: The child will see what is or is not working. Maybe they need a chair or a cone to hold on to while they practice. They will see what adjustments need to be made in order to improve.
Conclude: After skating, the child will decide how their skating went and what they will do the next time. Maybe the chair will only be needed for the first five minutes to warm up, or maybe they will still need a few more sessions with the assistance of the chair or cone.
Plan: After skates are off and shoes are back on, the child will plan how to get better and how their new skill can be applied to future events in their lives. Maybe eventually into figure skating or ice hockey.
If, as an educator, these steps can be kept in mind when creating lesson plans, it will make it much easier to have success within the classroom. It will also help if your learning objectives and sub outcomes can align with these four steps as well.
Works Cited: https://www.queensu.ca/experientiallearninghub/about/what-experiential-learning
