Experiential learning

Experiential Learning is the process of making meaning from direct experience.

About

Aristotle once said, "The things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them." Experiential learning is learning-by-doing, which is often contrasted with rote or didactic learning. Experiential learning is related to, but not synonymous with, experiential education, action learning, adventure learning, free choice learning, cooperative learning, and service learning. While there are relationships and connections, importantly they are also separate terms with separate meanings.

Experiential learning focuses on the learning for the individual - where as experiential education focuses on the trans-active process between teacher and learner. Education focuses on the relationship between teaching and learning. Learning on the direct process for the individual (possibly student). It is like going to the zoo and learning through observation and interaction with the zoo environment, as opposed to reading about animals from a book. Thus, one makes discoveries and experiments with knowledge firsthand, instead of hearing or reading about others' experiences.

Experiential learning requires no teacher and relates solely to the meaning making process of the individual's direct experience. It is an inherent process that occurs naturally. However, as John Dewey pointed out experiential learning can often lead to "mis-educative experiences". The classic example of this is the lecture experience many students have in traditional education contexts. While the content of the course might be "physics" the experiential learning might be that "I hate physics". This is mis-educative as the student should have preferably learned "I hate lectures". Experiential learning therefore can be problematic as generalizations or meanings may be misapplied. There are countless examples of this in prejudice, stereotypes, and other related areas.

Implementation

Experiential learning can be highly effective. It engages one at a more personal level by addressing the needs and wants of the one learning as it involves qualities such as self-initiative and self-evaluation. For experiential learning to be truly effective, it should employ the whole learning wheel, from goal setting to experimenting and observing, to reviewing, and finally action planning. This complete process allows one to learn new skills, new attitudes or even entirely new ways of thinking.

Remember the games we use to play when we were kids? Simple games like hopscotch can teach valuable skills, such as team management, communication, and leadership. The reason why games are used so widely in corporate training is because of the "fun factor" - learning through fun makes the lessons more retentive. However, games are just one method of experiential learning.

Another misconception is that experiential learning is all about outdoor pursuits. Equating outdoor activities like river rafting, rock climbing or high ropes to team building sessions is so widespread that many think this is the definitive method of experiential learning. Again, this is just one method that uses experiential learning.

According to D'Jungle People Experiential Learning Consultants Malaysia, experiential learning is about creating an experience where learning can be facilitated. How do you create a well-crafted learning experience? The key lies in the facilitator and how he or she facilitates the learning process. An excellent facilitator believes in the creed, "You teach some by what you say, teach more by what you do, but most of all, you teach most by who you are."

An experiential facilitator is one who is passionate about his/her work and is able to immerse participants totally in the experience, allowing them to learn from their peers and the learning atmosphere created. These facilitators stimulate the imagination, keeping participants hooked on the experience.

Comparisons

Experiential Learning can be compared to Academic Learning which refers to the process of acquiring information through study of a subject without the necessity for any direct experience of it (this needs to be supported through citation)

See also

People

• John Dewey
• Paulo Freire
• David A. Kolb
• Carl Rogers
• Jean Piaget
• Maria Montessori
• Rudolf Steiner
• Kurt Hahn

Related Topics

• Adventure education
• Alternative education
• Cooperative learning
• Outdoor education
• Ropes course
• Vocational education
• Service learning
• Adult education
• Cooperative education
• Action learning
• Active learning
• Problem-based learning
• Discovery learning
• Constructivism
• Appreciative Inquiry

Programs

Minnesota State University, Mankato Masters Degree in Experiential Education