Kolb Cycle of Learning
Summary
TLDRThis lesson delves into the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle, a method of reflective thinking fundamental for learning assessment. It introduces the 'What, So What, Now What' activity to foster critical thinking and problem-solving. The cycle, created by David Kolb, consists of four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Students are guided through each stage with questions to integrate new learning into existing knowledge structures. The lesson concludes with an assignment to apply the cycle in writing a reflective essay about one's learning style.
Takeaways
- 📚 The script introduces the Kolb cycle, a method of reflective thinking foundational to experiential learning and assessment.
- 🧠 The 'What, So What, Now What' activity is used to push thinking outside of the comfort zone and to reflect on past experiences.
- 📝 The first step in the Kolb cycle is 'Concrete Experience', which involves active involvement in the learning experience.
- 🤔 'Reflective Observation' is the second step, where learners relate their experiences to other experiences and reflect on the learning process.
- 📚 'Abstract Conceptualization' is the third step, linking the learning experience with underlying theories for a deeper understanding.
- 🚀 'Active Experimentation' is the final step, where learners apply their insights to new situations and set future goals.
- 💡 Reflection is crucial for integrating new learning into existing mental structures, like adding furniture to a palace.
- 📑 The 'Kolb Experiential Cycle Guiding Questions' handout is a tool to help learners through each step of the cycle.
- 📝 Writing about the learning experience involves describing what was done, why, and how it shows learning of a competency.
- 🔍 During 'Reflective Observation', learners should evaluate what worked, what didn't, and identify patterns in their learning.
- 🔗 'Abstract Conceptualization' involves forming insights and theories that can be applied to other experiences.
- 🛠 'Active Experimentation' is about using the learned knowledge in different contexts and creating action plans for future applications.
Q & A
What is the Kolb cycle and why is it important in experiential learning?
-The Kolb cycle, named after David Kolb, is a method of reflective thinking that forms the foundation of experiential learning. It helps learners integrate new knowledge with their existing mental structures, thus enhancing understanding and retention.
What is the 'What So What Now What' activity and how does it relate to the Kolb cycle?
-The 'What So What Now What' activity is a mental exercise designed to push learners to think outside their comfort zone. It aligns with the Kolb cycle by encouraging learners to review their experiences, interpret their meaning, and apply the lessons learned to new situations.
What are the four steps of the Kolb experiential learning cycle?
-The four steps are: 1) Concrete Experience, where learners actively engage in an event; 2) Reflective Observation, where they reflect on the experience and relate it to other experiences; 3) Abstract Conceptualization, where they link the experience to underlying theories or concepts; and 4) Active Experimentation, where they apply the learning to new situations.
How does the 'What' stage of the 'What So What Now What' activity differ from the 'So What' stage?
-The 'What' stage is descriptive, focusing on facts like what happened and with whom. The 'So What' stage shifts to interpretive, introducing the meaning of the experience, including feelings involved and lessons learned.
What is the significance of the 'Now What' stage in the 'What So What Now What' activity?
-The 'Now What' stage is contextual, involving the application of lessons learned to new situations and setting future goals or creating an action plan. It helps learners see the relevance of their experience in a broader context.
How can learners use the Kolb cycle to enhance their professional development?
-Learners can use the Kolb cycle to reflect on their experiences, gain insights, and apply these insights to improve their professional skills and competencies. It helps in continuous learning and development.
What is the role of discussion in the Kolb cycle, particularly during the Reflective Observation stage?
-Discussion plays a crucial role in the Reflective Observation stage, as it allows learners to share their thoughts, compare experiences, and gain different perspectives. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the learning experience.
Can you provide an example of how to apply the Kolb cycle to a learning experience?
-An example could be a learner who discovers a shortcut for completing a form at work. They would describe the experience (Concrete Experience), reflect on what they learned and how (Reflective Observation), relate it to broader theories or concepts (Abstract Conceptualization), and then apply this new method to other tasks or teach it to colleagues (Active Experimentation).
Why is the Abstract Conceptualization stage often overlooked but important in experiential learning?
-The Abstract Conceptualization stage is often overlooked because it requires linking the specific experience to broader theories or concepts, which can be challenging. However, it is important because it helps learners to generalize their learning and apply it to a wider range of situations.
What is the assignment mentioned in the script and how does it relate to the Kolb cycle?
-The assignment involves using the Kolb cycle to write a one-page reflection essay about what the learner has learned. It requires applying each step of the cycle to a specific learning experience, thus reinforcing the understanding and application of the cycle.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to the Kolb Cycle and Reflective Thinking
This paragraph introduces the concept of the Kolb cycle, a method of reflective thinking that forms the basis of experiential learning. The instructor outlines the 'What, So What, Now What' activity to encourage participants to think outside their comfort zone. The activity involves discussing a first training experience in one's career, with the aim of promoting discussion and reflective thinking. The paragraph sets the stage for the rest of the course by emphasizing the importance of reflection in integrating new learning into existing mental structures.
🔍 Deep Dive into the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle
The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the Kolb cycle, named after its creator, David Kolb. It describes the cycle as a foundational tool for learning assessment and professional development. The paragraph breaks down the cycle into four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Each stage is explained with its purpose and the type of questions and actions associated with it. The importance of linking learning experiences with underlying theories and applying them to new situations is highlighted, emphasizing the role of reflection in enhancing learning.
📝 Assignment and Application of the Kolb Cycle
The final paragraph discusses the application of the Kolb cycle in an assignment, where students are expected to write a one-page reflection essay using the cycle. The essay should cover each step of the cycle, with each step constituting approximately 25% of the essay. The paragraph concludes the lesson by informing students that their instructor will provide feedback on the reflection essay, which serves as a practice for future essays and the application of the Kolb cycle in subsequent courses.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Kolb Cycle
💡Reflective Thinking
💡Concrete Experience
💡Reflective Observation
💡Abstract Conceptualization
💡Active Experimentation
💡Experiential Learning
💡Action Plan
💡Learning Style
💡Mental Model
💡Self-Assessment
Highlights
Introduction to the Kolb cycle, a method of reflective thinking foundational to experiential learning and assessment.
Mental activity 'What, So What, Now What' to push thinking outside the comfort zone.
Ground rules for discussion using the 'What, So What, Now What' method.
The first topic for discussion: reflecting on the first training course completed in one's career.
The 'What' phase of the activity, focusing on descriptive aspects of the first training experience.
The 'So What' phase, shifting to interpretive reflection on the meaning and lessons of the experience.
The 'Now What' phase, contextualizing the experience within a broader perspective and setting future goals.
David Kolb's introduction of the cyclical model of experiential learning in 1984.
The Kolb cycle's role in structuring learning and assessment in the program.
The importance of articulating and evaluating learning for integration into existing mental structures.
The mental model of the brain as a palace with many rooms for reflecting on learning.
The first step of the Kolb cycle: Concrete Experience and active involvement in learning.
The second step: Reflective Observation and the thought processes behind the experience.
The third step: Abstract Conceptualization and linking the experience with underlying theories.
The fourth and final step: Active Experimentation, applying learning to new situations.
The assignment to write a one-page reflection essay using the Kolb cycle.
Guiding questions for each step of the cycle to aid in the reflection essay.
Expectation that each step of the cycle will constitute approximately 25% of the essay.
Instructor feedback on the reflection essay as a practice for future essays in the program.
Transcripts
in this lesson we'll talk in detail
about the cold experiential learning
cycle the Kolb cycle is a method of
reflective thinking which is
foundational to prior learning
assessment what we learn today will lay
the groundwork for much of the rest of
our course to get us thinking
reflectively let's do a mental activity
this activity is called what so what now
what and it will push us to move outside
of our comfort zone with our thinking to
begin let's set some ground rules I'll
introduce a topic and we'll use the
method it's a basic way to promote
discussion that begins with reviewing
the details of the experience and moves
toward critical thinking problem-solving
and creating an action plan now let's
choose our first topic for discussion
then we'll progress through each of
these questions what so what now what
for the first time through this activity
I want you to think about the first
training course you completed in your
career maybe it was basic training for a
branch of the Armed Forces maybe it was
a 30 minute or even shorter supervisor
led introduction to the computer system
perhaps it was new employee onboarding
for the purposes of this activity think
about the first training you ever
completed ready here we go we'll start
off with what what is descriptive it
includes facts like what happened and
with whom pause the lecture here to
think about the what of the first
training course you completed now let's
move on to so what so what is a shift
from descriptive to interpretive it
introduces the meaning of the experience
for each participant it includes the
feelings involved and the lessons
learned it also gets at the why of what
happened pause the lecture here to think
about so what now we'll move on to now
what now what is contextual it's seeing
the place of the situation in light of
the big picture it involves applying the
lessons learned or insights gained to
new situations it also involves setting
future goals or creating an action plan
pause the lecture here to think about
the now what nice job
are you ready to play one more time this
time I want you to choose the topic
pause the lecture here and mentally go
through the steps what so what now what
now that we've warmed up with some
reflective thinking let's dig into the
first section of today's material all
about the Kolb experiential learning
cycle the Kolb experiential learning
cycle is named for its creator David
Kolb
David Kolb is a social psychologist and
educational theorist whose interests
focus on experiential learning and
professional development in 1984 he
presented a cyclical model of
experiential learning this is a method
of reflective thinking and writing and
it's foundational to prior learning
assessment much of the work that you'll
do in this course and others in the
program will be structured using this
cycle the handout titled cold
experiential cycle guiding questions
will help you through each step of the
cycle
an important part of learning is
articulating and evaluating what you
learned because your brain integrates
new learning into the mental structures
of what you already know
reflection is the way to build and
cement your learning into those
structures think of your brain as a
palace with many rooms and you keep
adding in more furniture in the next few
slides we'll talk about a mental model
for reflecting on learning the Kolb
experiential learning cycle will use
that handout I talked about as we go
you'll want to keep the handout for
reference throughout this course and the
rest of the program the first step of
the Kolb experiential learning cycle is
concrete experience concrete experience
is the actual event Kolb maintains that
learners should become actively involved
in the exploration of the learning
experience if they're to get the most
out of it this can involve drawing up a
checklist of things that the learner
should try to do such as active
observation of what's going on producing
a law or a record of some sort and
formulating appropriate questions
questions surrounding the identification
of the event or learning experience can
be things like what was done why when
where how long were there others
involved and the depth and breadth of
the experience the verbs that you'll
want to use when writing about this step
include worked created prepared
implemented conducted or produced as an
example someone may have learned a
shortcut in completing a form for work
in this step you'll describe a learning
experience or product that illustrates a
competency or a grouping of competencies
explain what you did or applied that
shows your learning of the competency
write about the experience that shows my
learning is preparing such or the
products that Dimon's
this competency is step two is
reflective observation these are the
thought processes and patterns or trends
of the experience the learner then
relates this experience to other
experiences in his or her life this is
generally acknowledged to be the most
difficult stage of the Kolb cycle but
it's probably the most crucial of all
students and practitioners should
reflect on what they learned how they
learned it why they learned it whether
the learning experience could have been
more effective and so on discussion of
these reflections with one's instructor
can prove extremely helpful as can
discussion with one's peers either
informally or at a formal debriefing
session of some sort the questions
surrounding this portion of the cycle
are more evaluative what worked what
didn't work are there patterns or
similarities or differences the verbs
that you'll want to use include observed
watched noticed saw thought or
discovered discuss what you noticed or
observed analyze what you learned in
experiencing or producing discuss what
expertise you gained or expanded such as
in experiencing I noticed this or in
producing I discovered that when
appropriate relate what you learned to
the program goals and competencies this
is like the furniture that you're moving
into the palace the third step is
abstract conceptualization this is a
stage that is very often left out of
experiential learning programs but again
it's extremely important if the learners
are to gain the maximum possible benefit
for such learning the main object of
this stage is to link the actual
learning experience with theories that
were meant to underpin it and or with
greater understanding of the theories
that the learning experience was
designed
to illustrate again discussion with
one's instructor can prove extremely
helpful during this stage of the Kolb
cycle as can discussion with fellow
learners the questions during this stage
of the cycle include what insights have
I had is this the same observation as
with other experiences what theories or
principles have I formulated as a result
use verbs such as concluded theorized
found realized deduced or learned
evaluate your learning as it relates to
a bigger picture to a theory posed by an
author or your own ideas discuss any
rules theories or concepts that apply to
this learning right about conclusions
you've drawn from the experience or how
creating the product helped you to
realize the ability to generalize is a
key difference between a typical user in
a problem-solver it is the essence of
learning from experience this is like
the rooms of the palace the fourth and
final step of the cold experiential
learning cycle is active experimentation
active experimentation is the point in
the cycle where the learner applies the
learning from the experience to new
situations the learner develops strength
of learning for future experiences or
events the questions for this portion of
the cycle are how can I use this
learning in another situation with this
knowledge be useful in another situation
how can I bake predictions based on this
knowledge for future experiences you'll
use verbs such as used updated applied
tried implemented or changed what
happened as a result of the experience
reflection and learning what new ways
did you create you might write based on
this experience I changed the way I you
could discuss why the learning is
valuable to your job role you might
write
used the product in my work too at this
point you should be fairly comfortable
with each of the four steps of the Kolb
cycle obviously I don't expect you to be
an expert at this point but you'll get
lots of practice using it in this course
and in the rest of the program so now
it's time to talk about the assignment
after completing the readings the
self-assessment and going through this
lecture and all the related activities
you'll lose use the cold experiential
learning cycle to write a one-page
reflection essay about what you've
learned begin with the concrete
experience that is what you did in this
instance you visited several web sites
took a survey and learned more about
your own learning style use the guiding
questions to complete the cycle as a
general rule of thumb you should expect
that each step of the cycle will
comprise approximately one quarter of
your essay in other words you should
devote 25% of your writing to concrete
experience to end 25% of your writing to
reflective observation and so on
well that's it for this lesson
your instructor will review this
reflection essay and will then provide
you with detailed feedback this is like
a practice run for future reflection
essays you'll use the cold experiential
learning cycle in every course in this
program
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