This is Experiential Learning

Summary

The video discusses Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), developed by David Kolb, which emphasizes learning through experience and transformation. It outlines six core propositions, asserting that learning is an ongoing process rather than a final destination. Effective learners adapt to various learning modes and environments, shaping their experiences to meet their needs. ELT has influenced numerous academic disciplines and educational practices since the 1970s, expanding into K-12 and business sectors. The theory enhances critical thinking and practical application of knowledge, affirming the importance of integrating theory with practice in response to the evolving educational demands of the 21st century.

Takeaways

• 😀 ELT emphasizes that knowledge is created through the transformation of experiences.
• 📚 Learning is a continuous process, with new ideas modifying or replacing old ones.
• ⚖️ Effective learners can balance opposing modes within the learning cycle.
• 👶 ELT applies to all life stages, highlighting that learning never ends.
• 🔄 Interaction with the environment changes both the learner and the context.
• 🛠️ Different fields require unique skills and specific learning processes.
• 📈 Since the 1970s, there have been over 90,000 citations of experiential learning.
• 🌍 ELT is interdisciplinary, addressing educational issues in at least 30 fields.
• 🏫 K-12 institutions and businesses are increasingly adopting ELT principles.
• 💡 Learners report enhanced critical thinking and the ability to connect theory with real-life applications.

Q & A

What is the core principle of Experiential Learning Theory (ELT)?

The core principle of ELT is that knowledge is created through the transformation of experience, where learners actively engage with their environment and reflect on those experiences to build new knowledge.

Who synthesized the foundational work of experiential learning scholars to create ELT?

David Kolb synthesized the work of foundational scholars to develop the holistic model of Experiential Learning Theory.

How does Experiential Learning Theory view the learning process?

Experiential Learning Theory views learning as an ongoing process rather than a fixed endpoint, where new knowledge is integrated and old knowledge is modified or discarded.

What role do opposing modes in the learning cycle play according to ELT?

Effective learners are able to balance opposing modes in the learning cycle, which helps them become more adaptable and engaged in the learning process.

How does ELT address learning throughout different stages of life?

ELT posits that learning never ends and occurs across all life stages, from childhood through adolescence and into middle and old age.

What is the relationship between learners and their environment in the context of ELT?

In ELT, learners do not simply respond to their environment; they recreate it to meet their needs, influencing both themselves and the environment in a dynamic interaction.

What is a key distinction between learning skills in empathic listening and learning skills in engineering, as noted in the script?

The script highlights that learning skills in different fields, such as empathic listening versus engineering, require unique learning processes and approaches tailored to the specific field.

How has the use of ELT expanded beyond higher education?

ELT has expanded beyond higher education into K-12 institutions, business organizations, and non-formal organizations, addressing diverse learning needs and creating educational courses across a wide range of fields.

How does ELT foster the development of critical thinking abilities and real-life application of knowledge?

Through recursive cycles of experience, discussion, feedback, and real-life application, learners report increased critical thinking abilities and better capacity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.

How is Experiential Learning Theory being enriched and renewed over time?

ELT is continuously enriched through the collective experiences of those applying the theory in various practices worldwide, responding to the evolving needs of the workplace, marketplace, and global environment.