Theory: Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning

             

 “Experiential learning addresses the needs and wants of the learner” (Culatta, 2013). According to Carl Rogers, the role of the teacher is to set a positive climate for learning, clarify purposes of the learners, organizing and making available learning resources, balancing intellectual and emotional components of learning, and sharing feelings and thoughts with learners. He also says that learning is facilitated when the students participate in the learning process and have some control in its direction and is based upon direct confrontation with research problems. John Dewey also strongly believed in experiential learning because he knew that students had the ability to learn and grow through their educational and life experiences. “Dewey said that an educator must take into account the unique differences between each student” (Neill, 2005). Educators must keep in mind that in order to create a meaningful learning environment they must take into consideration the backgrounds that students come from and the expertise they bring with them into the classroom. If class is started with material that students can relate to they will be able to be a part of the learning that is taking place.

Principles of Experiential Learning (Culatta, 2013)

1.      Significant learning takes place when the subject matter is relevant to the personal interests of the student

2.      Learning which is threatened to the self are more easily assimilated when external threats are at a minimum

3.      Learning proceeds faster when the threat to the self is low

4.      Self-initiated learning is the most lasting and pervasive

Through various types of internet-based applications, I believe the instructor is able to create an environment where students will grow and enjoy learning using their own experiences as the foundation to grow. Online collaboration such as Blogger, Twitter, and sharing a google docs are all great ways for students to control the direction of their learning. It gives them power over what they are learning and the opportunity to share themselves with the rest of the class. Online gaming, when given different games to choose from, allows the learner to choose an option that is most relevant to their personal interests while playing a game that will still teach the material that needs to be taught. Classroom management applications such as Edmodo allow the students to be a part of learning even beyond the classroom opening up even more opportunities for learners to be connected to their learning environment. Mash-up applications are able to bring together various types of multi-media including text, images, audio, video, and animation as a means to educate. By using mash-up applications in the classroom, the educator is able to meet the varying needs of learners. Internet-based applications lend themselves to allowing students to have an experiential learning experience in many different ways and capacities if they are used wisely and in the right way by educators. 

References

Culatta, R. (2013). Experiential Learning. Retrieved from Instructional Design: http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/experiental-learning.html

Neill, J. (2005, January 26). John Dewey, the Modern Father of Experiential Education. Retrieved from Wilderdom: http://www.wilderdom.com/experiential/ExperientialDewey.html