Experiential Learning Educational Theorists

Experiential Learning Educational Theorists

Heather Sanderson

Eastern Connecticut State University

Dr. David Stoloff

February 10th, 2019

The educational theory that I am most interested in is the Experiential Learning Theory. Experiential learning is an educational theory which “promotes learning through direct experience” (McKenzie, 2013). The concept of learning by doing has been around since Confucius in 450 BC who said “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand” (McKenzie, 2013). The Experiential Learning Theory really took off in the early 1900’s with Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and Jean Piaget, followed by Carl Rogers and eventually the man who is most associated with this educational theory, David Kolb.

While Maria Montessori is not always mentioned as one of the originators of the experiential theory her methods of guiding children towards “open ended research”, encouraging them to “follow their interests”, and allowing them to “work independently instead of being taught in groups led by a teacher” all represent learning by experience (The International Montessori Index, 2018). She was a pioneer in student-centered learning.

John Dewey is an essential part of the experiential theory’s expansion and acceptance in education circles. In Dewey’s book Experience and Education he writes “that education in order to accomplish its ends both for the individual learner and for society must be based on experience” (Dewey, 1938). Dewey also stressed that it was “important to select experiences that build on one another-a curriculum of experiences” (McKenzie, 2013). So this means that the learning does not stop with one experience but continues to grow through more experiences which should become more complex to further the learning of the student.

While Jean Piaget’s educational theory is called constructivism, it also reflects many of the same principles as the experiential theory. Piaget’s constructivism theory “argues that people produce knowledge and form meaning based upon their experiences” (Teachnology Inc., N.D.).Piaget’s description on how constructivism should work in the classroom is a great description of what I strive for in my science class. Piaget believes that the role of the teacher is the “facilitator”; the teacher should ask questions of the students rather then tell students the answers so they can from their own conclusions, and collaborative working amongst the students is encouraged (Teachnology Inc., N.D.). Piaget believed it was important that “the teacher became not a transmitter of knowledge but a guide to the child’s own discovery of the world” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018). In my hands-on lab based science class I want my students to reach their own conclusions through experimentation rather them just telling the science content.

Reading about Carl Rodgers was the first time I was introduced to the term experiential learning. Rodgers stressed that there were two types of learning which were “cognitive (meaningless) and experiential (significant)” (Instructioanldesign.org, 2019). The most important take-away I got from Carl Rodgers experiential learning theory is that “self-initiated learning is the most lasting and pervasive” (Instructioanldesign.org, 2019). When a student feels connected and in control of the direction their learning experience is taking them they are much more likely to be engaged in the experience and learn more from it.

David Kobe is the man who is known for the Experiential Learning Theory, though as I have written about, there were many before him that shaped the formation of this popular education theory. Kobe states “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from a combination of grasping and transforming experience” (Georgia State University, 2018). According to Kobe’s Experiential Learning Cycle Model the steps involved are having a concrete experience, reflecting on that experience, comprehending the experience, and then actively experimenting with what you have learned from the experience, then repeating the cycle again (Ma & Holst, 2018). I like the idea of this experience cycle because learning is a continuous process with no end. I also believe the reflecting and comprehension steps are vital to the learning process. While the experience and experimentation steps are impactful and engaging, the students must step back from that and digest the information to truly learn the content.

As a science teacher, there is nothing like watching your students in the lab in awe of what they are discovering on their own. This is why I am most drawn to experiential learning and am grateful for the contributions Maria Montessori, John Dewey, Jean Piaget, Carl Rogers, and David Kobe have made towards this learning theory. When our students first received their iPads there was a push from our administrators to try online experiments instead of some of our classroom experiments and we immediately pushed back. The Science teachers stuck together and made it clear there was no substitution for the experience of being in the lab and experimenting in a hands-on manner.

References

Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education. New York: Simon and Schuster. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/ExperienceAndEducation/page/n37

Encyclopedia Britannica. (2018). Jean Piaget. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Piaget

Georgia State University. (2018). Experiential Learning Theory. Retrieved from https://myexperience.gsu.edu/faculty/resources/theory/

InstructionalDesign.org. (2019). Experiential Learning (Carl Rodgers). Retrieved from http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/experiential-learning/

Ma, H-S., & Holst, J.D. (2018). A Dissection of Experiential Learning Theory: Alternate Approaches to Reflection. Adult Learning. 29(4):150. Doi:10.1177/1045159518779138.

McKenzie, M. (2013). Rescuing EDUCATION: THE RISE OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. Independent School, 72(3), 24. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost- com.ecsu.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,cpid&custid=eastco nn&db=f5h&AN=85748138&site=eds-live

Montessori The International Montessori Index. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.montessori.edu/

Teachnology Inc. (N.D.). Piaget’s Theory of Constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.teach- nology.com/currenttrends/constructivism/piaget/