Experiential learning blog

Experiential learning

There are two different types of experiential learning. These types of learning are learning by yourself and experiential education. Learning by yourself occurs from direct participation of life events and from reflection on everyday experiences. Experiential education is learning through programs and activities structured by experiential educators. (Wilderdom.com, 2017)

Kolb’s experiential learning cycle

This cycle is in four stage; Concrete experience, Reflective observation, Abstract conceptualization and Active Experimentation. A new experience is encountered and then reflection on this experience over time forms new ideas and then these ideas are experimented with to see results. (Simplypsychology.org, 2017)

“Kolb and Fry (1975) argue that the learning cycle can begin at any one of the four points - and that it should be really approached as a continuous spiral. (infed.org, 2017)

Through work with Newbridge Kayak Club I run developmental kayak programs for adolescents and I always try my best to implement this learning cycle to the kids development. I would teach a stroke and get them to try it and then come back to it later on in the day once they have reflected. They often have questions on improvement and I let them off to experiment with it until I see them again the following week.

References

infed.org. (2017). David A. Kolb on experiential learning.. [online] Available at: http://infed.org/mobi/david-a-kolb-on-experiential-learning/ [Accessed 13 Nov. 2017].

Simplypsychology.org. (2017). Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle | Simply Psychology. [online] Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/learning-kolb.html [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].

Wilderdom.com. (2017). What is Experiential Learning?. [online] Available at: http://wilderdom.com/experiential/ExperientialLearningWhatIs.html [Accessed 13 Nov. 2017].