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Experiential Learning

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Author: Amy Hall, EdD March 23, 2022
 

Experiential learning is a student-centered pedagogical strategy that emphasizes the significant role of real-life experiences and critical reflection to promote learning. David Kolb (1984) described experiential learning as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience” (p. 38) and developed a four-stage learning cycle. In Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, students actively engage in and progress through four stages of learning: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.

 

Use the comments section below to let us know how you use Experiential Learning.

  1. When designing the concrete experience, it must be meaningful, thought provoking, and highly relevant. This activity is done prior to concepts being introduced. All students actively participate in this experience to promote learning, e.g., simulation, video, experiments, case scenarios, debates, clinical assignments, etc.

  2. During reflective observation, all students reflect upon the concrete experience by answering specific, open-ended questions which help them make sense of what they just experienced.

  3. During abstract conceptualization, faculty present new concepts and ideas that stem from the concrete experience. This can come from the faculty, guest speakers, students, videos, articles, open-access materials, etc.

  4. Active experimentation provides students the opportunity to use and apply what they have learned.