Quality of Rich Learning Experience According to Experiential Learning’s Approach.

Yaser AbuhmaidFaculty of Social Sciences and Arts - Jordan

2013

Concreteness in Learning Experience

The more an experience is perceived as real, the more effective impact on learning it leaves (Beard and Wilson, 2002). Accordingly, the best method for experiencing is the use of senses through the direct contact with reality, rather than relying on ‘second-hand information’ from other people or media, as this limits our ability to adapt to our world (Mulligan, 1992).

Concreteness in Learning Experience

‘Cone of Experience’ (Dale, 1954 p.43)

‘Cone of Experience’

Critical Characteristics of Rich Learning Experience that Accompany Directness and Concreteness:

Characteristics According to Dewey (1938):

- Arousing curiosity, and setting up desires and purposes .

- Having the potential to allow new experiences to emerge .

- Being interesting through meeting learners’ own goals and uses .

- Being applicable to meet the capabilities of learners .

Characteristics According to Dale (1954):

- Involving senses.

- Evoking excitement and satisfactory ‘shock of discovery’ through its novelty and freshness.

- Leaving a noticeable emotional impact.

- Integrating meaningfully with past experiences.- Evoking a sense of achievement. - Holding learners’ attention.

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model (Kolb, 1974 p.28)

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model

ReferencesBEARD, C. & WILSON, J. P. 2002. The power of experiential learning : a handbook for trainers and

educators London :, Kogan Page.DALE, E. 1954. Audio-visual methods in teaching, New York Dryden Press.DEWEY, J. 1938. Experience and education, Kappa Delta Pi, New York, Touchstone 1997.KOLB, D. A. 1974. Learning and Problem Solving on Management and the Learning Process. In:

KOLB, D. A., RUBIN, I. M. & M., M. J. (eds.) Organizational psychology : a book of readings. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs. Pp 27-42.

MULLIGAN, J. 1992. Internal Processors in Experiential Learning. In: MULLIGAN, J. & GRIFFIN, C. (eds.) Empowerment through experiential learning : explorations of good practice. London Kogan Page. Pp 178-186.

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