May 1, 2023

Experiential Learning

Jeremy Tzi Dong NG, Nora Patricia HERNÁNDEZ LÓPEZ, Monaliza Maximo CHIAN

While we have the capacity to grow and learn in our lifetime, meaningful learning occurs when we are exposed to experiences (Miettinen, 2000; Morris, 2020). Drawing on prominent scholarship on human learning and development (Kolb & Kolb, 2005), experiential learning (EL) is a process that hinges on the idea that learners, as active participants, develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes through directly, consciously, and iteratively engaging in and critically reflecting on experience (Coker et al., 2017; Morris, 2020). Grounded in John Dewey’s conceptualisation of learning as a social and contextualised process of knowledge construction (Miettinen, 2000), EL requires learners’ authentic inquiry to real-world problems, exposing them to novel, challenging yet empowering and practical experiences (Morris, 2020). In relation to real-life practices in society, EL is also characterised by collaborative participation in social activities, whereby learners play a responsive role and sometimes take collective responsibility over the learning process (Williams & Sembiante, 2022).

Different from traditional pedagogies where knowledge is transmitted to learners, EL entails that knowledge is created through contextually rich experience (Lee, 2019). Among the various models of EL (e.g., Kolb & Kolb, 2005), critical reflection in the EL process often serves as a defining feature that facilitates EL (Harfitt & Chow, 2018; Morris, 2020). The learning outcomes of EL vary from one programme to another, though the stimulation of both intellectual and socioemotional experiences can help students develop both hard skills and soft skills (Coker et al., 2017).

EL was first developed for adult education and management training (Miettinen, 2000), but has since been used in many different educational settings. EL has been used in traditional classroom settings for disciplinary (Chan, 2012) as well as interdisciplinary studies (Chiu, 2019). Outdoor education also embraces EL through field trips and other informal learning institutions (e.g., museums) (Harfitt & Chow, 2018; Goff et al., 2018). In tertiary education, EL is often implemented through internships, service learning programmes, immersion and foreign exchange programmes, and undergraduate research experiences (Coker et al., 2017). These various contexts illustrate how EL can be adapted to meet different teaching and learning needs.

In particular, there is also a pool of studies in teacher education (Harfitt & Chow, 2018), focusing on teaching practicum as an EL component for pre-service teachers to gain field-based experience in pedagogical applications and classroom practices (Lee, 2019). Extant studies have also particularly called for more attention and efforts on how educators can be trained to improve their competence in facilitating EL (Morris, 2020).

Recent advancement in digital technologies and the pandemic-induced challenges have inspired and motivated technology-supported/enhanced delivery of students’ EL experience. For instance, immersive reality technologies (e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality) have been increasingly leveraged to offer learners the opportunities to participate in simulation-based experiential learning in a virtual and immersive way (Goff et al., 2018).

Below are some relevant and timely resources that raise issues, considerations, and challenges as we understand the concept of experiential learning.

References

Chan, C. K. Y. (2012). Exploring an experiential learning project through Kolb's learning theory using a qualitative research method. European Journal of Engineering Education, 37(4), 405-415.

Chiu, S. K. (2019). Innovative experiential learning experience: Pedagogical adopting Kolb’s learning cycle at higher education in Hong Kong. Cogent Education, 6(1), 1644720.

Coker, J. S., Heiser, E., Taylor, L., & Book, C. (2017). Impacts of experiential learning depth and breadth on student outcomes. Journal of Experiential Education, 40(1), 5-23.

Goff, E. E., Mulvey, K. L., Irvin, M. J., & Hartstone-Rose, A. (2018). Applications of augmented reality in informal science learning sites: A review. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 27, 433-447.

Harfitt, G. J., & Chow, J. M. L. (2018). Transforming traditional models of initial teacher education through a mandatory experiential learning programme. Teaching and Teacher Education, 73, 120 -129.

Kolb, A. Y., & Kolb, D. A. (2005). Learning styles and learning spaces: Enhancing experiential learning in higher education. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 4(2), 193-212.

Lee, J. F. K. (2019). Experiential teacher education -- Preparing preservice teachers to teach English grammar through an experiential learning project. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 44 (1).

Miettinen, R. (2000). The concept of experiential learning and John Dewey's theory of reflective thought and action. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 19 (1), 54-72.