What is Experiential Learning

​Experiential learning is a well-known model in education, training, facilitation and organisational development.

Experiential education is an immersive, participant focused active approach  to learning that engages learners of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels.

It is effectively used in  schools, higher education, therapy, corporate training and other areas for educational learning, personal development and skills building.

According to the Association for Experiential Education, experiential learning can be summed up in the phrase “challenge and experience followed by reflection and application leading to learning and growth.”

The concept of experiential learning was first explored by John Dewey, Kurt Hahn, Kurt Lewin and Jean Piaget, among others. It was made popular by David A. Kolb.

Experiential Education is one that:

• Combines direct experience with focused reflection;
• Builds on past knowledge and experiences;
• Requires active involvement in meaning construction;
• Encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas and perspectives;
• Can be course focused or in-class, community focused, or work focused.

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How Experiential Learning Works.

The basic model of expereintial learning cycle  is "do reflect decide".

​Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory (Kolb, 1984) defines experiential learning as "the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience."

Kolbs Experiential Learning Cycle

​Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory presents a cycle of four elements

1. Concrete Experience
2. Reflective Observation
3. Abstract Conceptualization
4. Active Experimentation

​Kolb described two different ways of graspingexperience:

1. Concrete Experience
2. Abstract Conceptualization

He also identified two ways of transforming experience:

1. Reflective Observation
2. Active Experimentation

Understanding the 4 Stages of Experiential Learning Cycle

1. CONCRETE EXPERIENCE: 
Concrete experience describes the hands-on experiences that we learn from. It’s here that we try new things, face problems and step out of our comfort zone. These experiences could be anything in our personal or professional lives. its through experience that we get to learn from our successes or failures.  
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2. REFLECTIVE OBSERVATION
Next we need to reflect to learn from our experiences. The ‘reflective observation’ phase of the experiential learning cycle is all about reflection on the experiences which include both action and feelings. It’s during this stage that we ponder on the experiences. We get to reflect on what went right and what could be improved? It’s also a chance to observe how it could have been done differently and to learn from each other. 

3. ABSTRACT CONCEPTUALIZATION
Once we have identified and understand the defining characteristics of an experience, we can decide on what we can do differently next time. This is a time for planning and brainstorming steps for success.

4. ACTIVE EXPERIMENTATION The active experimentation phase of the learning cycle is where we get to experiment with our ideas. It’s time to put our plan of action to the test in the real world! 

Examples of Experiential Learning 

The learning process does not necessarily begin with experience, however. Instead, each person must choose which learning mode will work best based upon the specific situation.
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For example, let's imagine that you are going to learn how to drive a car. Some people might choose to begin learning via reflection by observing other people as they drive. Another person might prefer to start more abstractly, by reading and analyzing a driving instruction book. Yet another person might decide to just jump right in and get behind the seat of a car to practice driving on a test course.

​Below are two examples

Learning to ride a bicycle:

• Reflective observation - Thinking about riding and watching another person ride a bike.
• Abstract conceptualization - Understanding the theory and having a clear grasp of the biking concept.
• Concrete experience - Receiving practical tips and techniques from a biking expert.
• Active experimentation - Leaping on the bike and have a go at it.​

​Learning to coach:

• Concrete experience - Having a coach guide you in coaching someone else.
• Active experimentation - Using your people skills with what you have learned to achieve your own coaching style.
• Reflective observation - Observing how other people coach.
• Abstract conceptualization - Reading articles to find out the pros and cons of different methods.

Experiential Learning Style Model

How do we decide which mode of experiential learning will work best? While situational variables are important, our own preferences play a large role. Kolb notes that people who are considered "watchers" prefer reflective observation, while those who are "doers" are more likely to engage in active experimentation.

"Because of our hereditary equipment, our particular past life experiences, and the demands of our environment, we develop a preferred way of choosing," Kolb explains.

These preferences also serve as the basis for Kolb's learning styles. In this learning style model, each of the four types has dominant learning abilities in two areas.

The four learning styles are

• Diverging (concrete, reflective) - Emphasizes the innovative and imaginative approach to doing things. Views concrete situations from many perspectives and adapts by observation rather than by action. Interested in people and tends to be feeling-oriented. Likes such activities as cooperative groups and brainstorming.
  

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• Assimilating (abstract, reflective) - Pulls a number of different observations and thoughts into an integrated whole. Likes to reason inductively and create models and theories. Likes to design projects and experiments.

 

• Converging (abstract, active)- Emphasizes the practical application of ideas and solving problems. Likes decision-making, problem-solving, and the practical application of ideas. Prefers technical problems over interpersonal issues.

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• Accommodating (concrete, active) - Uses trial and error rather than thought and reflection. Good at adapting to changing circumstances; solves problems in an intuitive, trial-and-error manner, such as discovery learning. Also tends to be at ease with people.

Kolbs Learning Styles

Kolb theorized that the four combinations of perceiving and processing determine one of four learning styles of how people prefer to learn. Kolb believes that learning styles are not fixed personality traits, but relatively stable patterns of behavior that is based on their background and experiences.

What is both interesting and important for group work is that different people tend to have different styles of learning and, therefore, place more emphasis, or feel more comfortable, in some stages of the learning cycle than others. ​

The learning styles are combinations of the individual’s preferred approaches. These learning styles are as follows:

• Reflector / Diverger
• Theorist / Assimilator
• Pragmatist / Converger
• Activist / Accomodator

​For example, people with the Diverging learning style are dominant in the areas of concrete experience and reflective observation.
Kolb suggests that a number of different factors can influence preferred learning styles. Some of the factors that he has identified include:

• Personality type
• Educational specialization
• Career choice
• Current job role
• Adaptive competencies

Importance of Experiential Learning

• Makes learning relatable to participants:  Participants build on what they already know and are provided with opportunities to make connections between new concepts and existing ones.
• Increases the effectiveness of learning: Participants engage in critical thinking, acquire problem solving skills and engage in decision making.
• Links theory to practice: Participants have the chance to engage in the experience and practice what they have learned, see the application of the theoretical concepts in practice, process that application and make generalizations.
• Increases Participants’ engagement, by encouraging collaboration and scaffolding between learners.
• Assists in memory retention, by building strong relationships between feelings and thinking processes. Participants have the capacity to learn successfully when the information is associated with values and feelings.
• Leads to development of skills for lifelong learning, by assisting in the acquisition of essential skills and encouraging Participants to reflect, conceptualize, and plan for next steps.

Why Organisations are Employing Experiential Learning

The idea of experiential learning isn't entirely new. Management guru Henry Mintzberg pointed out long ago that, "leadership, like swimming, cannot be learned by reading about it".

​A lot about learning  is about mindset, and one of the fastest change the mindset is to come out of the comfort zone in a different learning environment that experiential learning provides. Educators are now coming round to the notion of experiential learning as a complement to the classroom training. Facilitators are designing and delivering behavioral skills training using experiential learning methods. 

When Does Experiential Learning Happen

​Experiential learning is said to happen when participants get immersed cognitively, affectively, and behaviorally and are supported by a facilitator in reflecting, processing the experiences, emotions, thoughts and actions to get a insight in a safe learning environment, leading to change in perspective, understanding, thought, and behavior.  is able to apply the newly acquired learning in a different real life situation thereby demonstrating change.

How is experiential learning delivered.

Training needs and desired outcomes are identified. conducive and safe learning environment away from work is created. participants are walked through a sequence of actvities that focus on ice breaking, energizing, trusting building initially.  Once participants are engaged and feel safe, they are put into various tasks and challenges where they get to participate in a experience. The sequence of the tasks or actvities follows low order thinking skills to high order thinking skills. After every activity the facilitator invites the participants to take part in in a discussion where the facilitator debriefs or processes the experiences.

The facilitator invites the group to achieve a goal, but does not explain how to successfully complete the activity. Participants must work to find a solution individually and together as a team, and must communicate and learn from each other in order to be successful. The Learning begins with the experience followed by reflection, discussion, analysis and evaluation of the experience.

The Learning Wave

​How do participants learn in Experiential learning

The Participants undergoing the experience are instantly able to feel the results of their actions by  participating in the experience. During the processing  they get to realise the immense difference that can be made by a changing their thinking and behavior to the real life application.

Where can Experiential Learning can be used.

Experiential learning can become a continuous process of learning and development in corporate companies and schools by adopting the basic steps of "do, reflect and apply".

There are many ways to practice experiential learning some of which are outlined below. ​

​Outbound Training
Management Games
Team Building Activities
Adventure Based Learning
Outdoor Learning Activities
Inhouse Learning Activities
Drama, Art, Theatre
Simulation Based Learning
Film Making
Story Telling
Creativity Games
Mystery Games
Service Learning

Experiential Learning Methods

What are Application Areas of Experiential Learning

A range of skills and behaviors can be learned with experiential learning . Its more effective with change in human behavior and attitude than technical knowledge. Experiential learning is impact in most learning scenarios and can be delivered through education, facilitation and self participatory methods.

​Team Building
Team Bonding
Trust Building
Collaboration
Communication
Motivating Teams
Assertiveness
Decision Making
Innovation
Strategic Thinking
Creativity
Customer Focus
Confidence Building
Conflict Management​​
​Management Development

Leadership Development Programs
Change Management
Cross Functional Teams
Cross Cultural Teams
Virtual Teams
High Performance Teams
Coaching
Mentoring
Organizational effectiveness
Thought Leadership
Conflict Management
Time Management
Stress Management
Emotional Intelligence
​Goal Setting

How can companies use Experiential Learning​

Every organization is unique in its training needs, and therefore each company will likely have their own way of implementing experiential learning strategies. However, here are some activities and approaches that you can consider when tailoring your own experiential learning initiatives:
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1) Simulations: This experiential training technique uses electronic, mechanical or software-based activities to simulate a real-world situation to which a learner must react. Since the simulations can vary depending on any number of parameters, simulated training offers a great way to educate staff on even the most remote hypothetical scenarios that they might have to deal with.

2) Case Studies: These are great examples of experiential learning that are based on real-life instances, situations that have transpired in the past. By exposing trainees to what happened in the past, using illustrative case studies, trainers can give them invaluable insight into the appropriate behavior required to deal with similar situations, and the blow-back it may have.

3) Role Playing: These are experiential training activities designed to help employees appreciate specific work situations from perspectives different than their own. For instance, a Customer Service manager might play the role of a customer, in order to experience the impact that a particular policy or procedure might have on the customer.

4) Sensitivity Training: One highly effective experiential training strategy to enhance employee self-awareness and confidence is sensitivity training. The objective is to design activities that help learners appreciate how others (peers, managers, customers) see them. As a result, workers become equipped with the skills and knowledge of how to deal with others more appropriately.

5) Gaming: Experiential learning games are a popular way to help employees learn by doing. The games can be organized in a way that individuals and groups play with each other, by either collaborating or competing, like in the real world. This process can teach them valuable lessons about how to deal with on-the-job situations. As part of this experiential training technique, motivation tools, such as points and merit badges, can be awarded to make the game more engaging for the learners.

6) On Job Training (OJT): Of all the experiential learning strategies out there, OJT is probably the one that offers the most realistic training experience. By designing experiential activities for groups of trainees, based at the actual location where they will be working, OJT exposes staff to “business as usual” situations – real customers, peers, and supervisors, real products, and services – that they will continue to deal with once training is completed.

How can schools use experiential learning?

There are many ways in which schools use experiential learning by having students engaged in hands-on learning: 

1. Mock-trials or debates
2. Organising business internships
3. School camps or a boarding component to campus life; here, students are responsible for some aspects of their daily life such as cleaning, time management and study
4. Undertaking drills to develop specific physical skills.
5. Community service opportunities, such as work trips to support disadvantaged communities
6. Study tours to international universities where students experience on-campus life and undertake undergraduate study
7. Every film or novel study in English, where a student enters the world of the story and lingers on the complexities of the perspective of the protagonist
8. Simulations, such as in a Business Studies class examining the factors behind stock market fluctuations
9. Scientific experiments or open-ended inquiries to determine cause and effect
10. Case studies of urban development in Geography
11. Role-playing influential historical figures in order to understand personal motivations in a History class
12. Interactive classroom games, such as Kahoot or Socrative

Taking it forward.

When deciding which of these methods, styles and activities you should use, it is vital to not lose focus of what the central idea of experiential training is all about: Learning by doing. So, if your specific training needs aren’t in alignment with a particular technique discussed above, you shouldn’t attempt to “force fit” it into your training strategy.

- Diyanat Ali, CEO, Outlife Experiential Education. 7729988781 [email protected]

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