Kolb Cycle of Learning

Summary

This 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

00:00

📚 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.

05:00

🔍 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.

10:03

📝 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.

Keywords

💡Kolb Cycle

The Kolb Cycle, also known as the experiential learning cycle, is a framework developed by David Kolb that describes the process through which people learn from concrete experiences. It is foundational to the video's theme as it provides a method for reflective thinking and learning assessment. The cycle is introduced as the main tool for structuring the course and is used to guide the 'what, so what, now what' activity.

💡Reflective Thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of internally reviewing and exploring an event or experience, leading to insights and deeper understanding. It is central to the video's content, as it is the method used to engage with the Kolb Cycle and to lay the groundwork for learning assessment. The script emphasizes its importance in integrating new learning into existing mental structures.

💡Concrete Experience

Concrete experience is the first stage of the Kolb Cycle and refers to the actual event or activity that a learner engages in. The script describes it as the starting point for learning, where active involvement in the learning process is crucial. It is exemplified by the script's suggestion to describe a learning experience or product that illustrates a competency.

💡Reflective Observation

Reflective observation is the second stage of the Kolb Cycle, where learners think about and make sense of their experiences. The script highlights its difficulty but also its importance, as it involves relating the experience to other life events and understanding the learning process. It is exemplified by the script's questions about what was learned and how it could be improved.

💡Abstract Conceptualization

Abstract conceptualization is the third stage of the Kolb Cycle, where learners link their experiences to underlying theories or concepts. The script emphasizes its significance in gaining maximum benefit from experiential learning by forming insights and generalizations. It is illustrated by the script's discussion of insights gained and theories formulated as a result of the learning experience.

💡Active Experimentation

Active experimentation is the final stage of the Kolb Cycle, where learners apply their new understanding to different situations. The script describes it as a way to strengthen learning for future experiences and to develop new strategies or approaches. It is exemplified by the script's questions about how the learning can be used in new contexts and the verbs used to describe this stage, such as 'applied' and 'implemented'.

💡Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is a method of education that emphasizes learning through experience and the reflection on that experience. The script discusses it in the context of the Kolb Cycle, which is a model of experiential learning. It is integral to the video's narrative as it is the primary method for learning and assessment throughout the course.

💡Action Plan

An action plan is a set of steps or strategies to be taken in order to achieve a specific goal. In the script, it is mentioned as part of the 'now what' stage of the Kolb Cycle, where learners consider how to apply their learning to new situations and set future goals. It is an essential component of the learning process as it helps to translate insights into practical outcomes.

💡Learning Style

Learning style refers to the preferred way in which an individual learns new information. The script mentions a self-assessment and a survey that learners can take to understand their own learning style. This concept is relevant to the video's theme as it helps tailor the learning experience according to individual preferences, enhancing the effectiveness of the Kolb Cycle.

💡Mental Model

A mental model is a representation of how something works, used to understand and predict events. In the script, it is used to describe a way to reflect on learning, likening the brain to a palace with many rooms where new learning is added as furniture. This concept helps to visualize the process of integrating new knowledge with existing understanding.

💡Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is the process of evaluating one's own performance or understanding. The script mentions it as a part of the learning process, where learners review and evaluate their learning experiences. It is a key component of the video's message as it encourages learners to take an active role in their education and to reflect on their progress.

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