Experiential Learning

Objectives:

To define what is experiential learning?

To know who is the proponent of this theory?

To give details the stages of its cycle.

To enumerate possible methods to be used in experiential learning strategy.

What is experiential learning?

-Process of making meaning out of a direct experience.

-Learning by doing

-Personalized reflection about an experience. (Read: Do a philosophical reflection on a concrete situation from a holistic perspective)

-Formulation of plans to apply learning to other contexts.

-Its emphasis the process of learning not on the product.

The Proponent

-“Experiential learning is equivalent to personal change and growth” – Carl Rogers

-Feels that all human beings have a natural propensity to learn; the role of the teacher is to facilitate such learning.

The Cycle

Experiencing- an activity occurs.

Sharing- reactions and observations are shared.

Analyzing- patterns and dynamics are determined.

Inferring- principles are derived.

Applying-plans are made to use learning in new situation.

The Methods

Field Trips- structured activity that occurs outside the classroom can be a brief observational activity or a longer more sustained investigation or project. Its purposes are to offer an opportunity for students to get exposure to real people and events, to make connections with others and to visit people and places that they are not normally exposed to during the school day. Ways on doing this include: prepare students for the learning and have a debriefing session for students to share their learning when they return to the classroom.

Narratives- are told from a defined point of view, often the author’s so there is feeling. Specific and often sensory details provided to get the reader involved in the elements and sequence of the story. Its purposes are relies on personal experiences, often in the form of a story, includes all convention of the story telling: plot, character, setting, climax and ending, usually filled with details that are carefully selected to explain, support or enhance the story, all of the details relate to the main point the writer is attempting to make. How to do it? The writing in your essay should be lively.

Experiments- methodical trial and error procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying or establishing the validity of a hypothesis. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when a particular factor is manipulated.

Simulations- the teacher controls the parameters of this world and uses it to achieve the desired instructional results. Advantages: enjoyable, motivating activity, element of reality is compatible with principles of constructivism, enhances appreciation of more subtle aspects of a concept/principle, and promotes critical thinking. Disadvantages includes: preparation time, cost can be an issue and assessment is more complex than some traditional teaching method. Its purposes: to promote concept attainment through experiential practice, to understand the nuances of a concept or circumstance and to deeply involve students in simulations than other activities. How to do it? Try to anticipate questions before they are asked and know what you wish to accomplish.  How to adapt it? Time, content and expectation.

Games/Play- It provides the opportunity for children to work out their feelings and play builds social skills.

Storytelling- conveying of events in words, images and sounds often by improvisation or embellishment. One reason for storytelling is to capture a moment or event and immortalized it. Storytelling should have the ability to transport the listener to another time or place.

Focused Imaging- Imaging enables students to relax and allow their imaginations to take them in journeys, experience situations first hand, respond with their senses to the mental image formed. Imaging exercises nurture and develop students’ creative potentials. Imaging provides a focus and an opportunity for open minded exploration of new concepts in real area of study.

Role Playing- students act out characters in a predefined situation. Allows students to take risk-free positions by acting out characters is hypothetical situations. Can help them understand the range of concerns, values and position held by other people.

Model Building- involves the creation of models either from kits or from materials and components acquired by the builder.

Surveys- The purpose of a survey depends what the survey is used for. It is a method of gathering information from a selection of individuals.

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