Experiential learning is an engagement learning process whereby students “learn by doing” and by reflecting on the experience. By engaging students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they are better able to connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations. David A. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory is a powerful foundational approach to all forms of learning, development and change. Experiential learning describes the ideal process of learning, invites you to understand yourself as a learner, and empowers you to take charge of your own learning and development.
When students participate in experiential education opportunities, they gain:
- A better understanding of subject material
- A broader view of the world and an appreciation of community
- Insight into their own skills, interests, passions, and values
- Opportunities to collaborate with other students.
- Self-confidence and leadership skills.
Some of the Benefits of Experiential Learning
- Teaches the value of mistakes: Experiential learning involves trial by error. As students engage in hands-on tasks, they find that some approaches work better than others. They discard the methods that don’t work, but the act of trying something and then abandoning it actually becomes a valuable part of the learning process. Students learn not to fear mistakes, but to benefit from, and remember, them.
- Prepares students for adult life: Most experiential learning activities require students to work in groups. Through group work, students learn to work more effectively together, and capitalizing on the unique strengths of each team member. In turn, the students learn how to lead, how to think critically, and how to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Provides opportunity for reflection: Reflective observation is an integral component of experiential learning process. Students are able analyze how their actions affected the outcome and how their outcome may have differed from those of other students. This analysis helps them better understand how the concepts they’ve learned can be applied to other circumstances.
- Accelerates learning: It has been proven over the years that the act of practicing a skill strengthens the neural connections in the brain, making us, in effect, “smarter.” As the saying goes “practice makes better. Hands-on activities require practice, problem-solving, and decision-making. As student engagement increases through these processes, learning accelerates, and retention improves.
Technology and Experiential Learning
Technology is a highly effective teaching tool for experiential learning. Teachers are creating more interactive lessons thanks to access to technology:
- 93% of educators agree that digital resources such as classroom technology and web-based programs help in their students’ academic achievement.
- 65% of teachers say technology lets them demonstrate things they couldn’t show another way.
Well-planned, supervised and assessed experiential learning programmes can stimulate an interest in learning for students by promoting student engagement and initiative in their learning.
