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--- learning_theories:experiential_learning [2011/08/17 10:32]
jpetrovic [General]
+++ learning_theories:experiential_learning [2011/08/17 13:13]
jpetrovic [Criticisms]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-====== Experiential Learning ======
+====== Experiential Learning Theory ======
 ===== General =====
-Experiential learning is a **cycle learning theory** introduced by American educational theorist [[http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/3114/David-Kolb.html|David Kolb]]((Some sources like [[http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/learningmap.html|Cooper, S. Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology]] or [[http://tip.psychology.org/|Kearsley G. Explorations in Learning & Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database]] associate experiential learning with [[http://www.nrogers.com/carlrogersbio.html|Carl Rogers]].)) in 1971((Kolb, D. A. Individual learning styles and the learning process. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1971.)) and was inspired by earlier works of [[http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/lewin.htm|Kurt Lewin]], [[http://www.piaget.org/aboutPiaget.html|Jean Piaget]]((See also: [[learning_theories:Stage Theory of Cognitive Development]])) and [[http://dewey.pragmatism.org/|John Dewey]]. As it was developed within [[learning_paradigms:humanism|humanist paradigm]], experiential learning offers a **holistic perspective on learning** and is orientated mostly on adult learning. Name of this theory was intended to should emphasize the importance of experience in the learning process.
+Experiential learning theory is a **cycle learning theory** introduced by American educational theorist [[http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/3114/David-Kolb.html|David Kolb]]((Some sources like [[http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/learningmap.html|Cooper, S. Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology]] or [[http://tip.psychology.org/|Kearsley G. Explorations in Learning & Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database]] associate experiential learning with [[http://www.nrogers.com/carlrogersbio.html|Carl Rogers]].)) in 1971((Kolb, D. A. Individual learning styles and the learning process. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1971.)) and was inspired by earlier works of [[http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/lewin.htm|Kurt Lewin]], [[http://www.piaget.org/aboutPiaget.html|Jean Piaget]]((See also: [[learning_theories:Stage Theory of Cognitive Development]])) and [[http://dewey.pragmatism.org/|John Dewey]]. As it was developed within [[learning_paradigms:humanism|humanist paradigm]], experiential learning offers a **holistic perspective on learning** and is orientated mostly on adult learning. Name of this theory was intended to should emphasize the importance of experience in the learning process.
-ELT defines learning as
+Experiential learning theory defines learning as
   * "//the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience.//"(([[http://www.google.hr/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Facademic.regis.edu%2Fed205%2FKolb.pdf&rct=j&q=kolb84%20Kolb%20Experiential%20learning.pdf&ei=24NKTsCeMsee-wb_xI2cCQ&usg=AFQjCNGdXkEjcY7T1FMOw2SMAxS4Goz96w&cad=rja|Kolb, David A. Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall, 1984.]]))
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
   - Learning is driven by conflict, differences, and disagreement and results in assimilation and accommodation.
-In his influential book "[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Experiential-Learning-Experience-Source-Development/dp/0132952610#reader_0132952610|Experiential Learning: Experience As The Source Of Learning And Development]]" (1984) Kolb describes learning as "//the process whereby **knowledge is created through the transformation of experience**//". Kolb suggests two opposite modes of getting experience:
+[[http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm|{{  :images:kolb.jpg?550|Kolb's original four learning styles and stages. Image borrowed from: http://www.businessballs.com/... Click on the picture to follow the link.}}]]
-    * **concrete experience** or **CE** (**feeling** through practical experiencing),
+Kolb(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, Alice Y., and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212, 2005.]])) suggests two opposite modes of acquiring experience:
-    * **abstract conceptualization** or **AC** (concluding and **thinking** about the experience),
-and two opposite modes of transforming that experience to knowledge:
+    * **concrete experience** or CE (feeling through practical experiencing),
+    * **abstract conceptualization** or AC (concluding and thinking about the experience),
-    * **reflective observation** or **RO** (actively **observing** experience and its outcomes),
+and two opposite modes of transforming that experience into knowledge:
-    * **active experimentation** or **AE** (planing on how to test something and finally **doing**).
-All of these components together form a circle of learning in which they follow one after another: CE->RO->AC->AE->CE->... The very process of **learning can begin in any of them**. Still, every learner develops strengths in some of mentioned modes more than in others and learn better under those conditions, which results in four different **learning styles** identified also by Kolb:
+    * **reflective observation** or RO (actively observing experience and its outcomes),
+    * **active experimentation** or AE (planing on how to test something and finally doing).
-    * **Assimilator** - Strong in and RO components. Prefers **abstract conceptualizations** and theoretical models, requires time to think through. Values **logical validity** more than practical applications.
+All of these components together form a circle of learning in which they follow one after another: CE->RO->AC->AE->CE->... The very process of **learning can begin in any of them**. Still, every learner develops strengths in some of mentioned modes more than in others and learn better under those conditions, which results in four different **learning styles** identified also by Kolb(([[http://www.google.hr/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Facademic.regis.edu%2Fed205%2FKolb.pdf&rct=j&q=kolb84%20Kolb%20Experiential%20learning.pdf&ei=24NKTsCeMsee-wb_xI2cCQ&usg=AFQjCNGdXkEjcY7T1FMOw2SMAxS4Goz96w&cad=rja]|Kolb, David A. Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall, 1984.]]))(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, Alice Y., and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212, 2005.]])):
+    * **Assimilator** - Strong in AC and RO components. Prefers **abstract conceptualizations** and theoretical models, requires time to think through. Values **logical validity** more than practical applications.
     * **Converger** - Strong in AC and AE components. Prefers **practical applications** of concepts and theories he learns and like experimenting. They are often good problem solvers and like dealing with technical issues.
     * **Accommodator** - Strong in CE and AE components. Prefers **practical experiences** and acting more according to the feeling than based on logical analysis or theoretical aspects.
-    * **Diverger** - Strong in CE and RO modes. Prefers **learning through observing** and **collecting information**, good at viewing concrete situations from different points of view. According to Kolb et al.(([[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and C. Mainemelis. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles. The educational psychology series: 227–247. 2001.]])) research has shown this kind of people are often **imaginative** and emotional, and often specialize in **arts**.
+    * **Diverger** - Strong in CE and RO modes. Prefers **learning through observing** and **collecting information**, good at viewing concrete situations from different points of view. This kind of people are often imaginative and emotional, and often specialize in arts.(([[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and C. Mainemelis. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles. The educational psychology series: 227–247. 2001.]]))
-Kolb and other researchers(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212. 2005.]])) later improved the resolution of the learning styles grid from 2x2 to 3x3 by introducing five new learning styles, that offered a refinement of the four Kolb's styles:
+[[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|{{:images:kolb9.jpg?400x400 |The new 9 learning styles. Notice how the old learning styles now form the corners of the rectangle. Image borrowed from: Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces: Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Click on the picture to follow the link.}}]]
+Kolb's model was later refined by himself and other researchers(([[http://tcp.sagepub.com/content/13/3/477.abstract|Abbey, David S., David E. Hunt, and John C. Weiser. Variations on a Theme by Kolb. The Counseling Psychologist 13, no. 3: 477 -501, 1985.]]))(([[http://books.google.hr/books?id=FqZ9AAAAMAAJ|Hunt, David Ellis. Beginning with ourselves in practice, theory, and human affairs. Brookline Books, 1987.]]))(([[http://www.google.hr/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Flearningfromexperience.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F08%2FAdaptive-flexibility-2000.pdf&rct=j&q=Learning%20styles%20and%20adaptive%20flexibility&ei=wJJLTsipB4ee-QbUgoT3CA&usg=AFQjCNEtw0y7d9xEjMbQGRCJW4B0K7Kycg&cad=rja|Mainemelis, Charalampos, Richard E. Boyatzis, and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Adaptive Flexibility. Management Learning 33, no. 1: 5-33, March 2002.]])) through improvement of the learning styles grid resolution from 2x2 to 3x3 by introducing five additional learning styles(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, Alice Y., and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212, 2005.]])):
   * **Northerner** - Strong in CE and balanced in AE and RO modes. Has a capacity for deep involvement and learns through experimenting, but has problems with conceptualizations.
@@ Line 42: / Line 47: @@
   * **Balancing** - Evenly balancing both modes of acquiring experience and both modes of transforming that experience into knowledge.
-[[http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm|{{:images:kolb.jpg?590x500  |Kolb's original four learning styles and stages. Image borrowed from: http://www.businessballs.com/... Click on the picture to follow the link.}}]][[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|{{:images:kolb9.jpg?500x500|The new 9 learning styles. Notice how the old learning styles now form the corners of the rectangle. Image borrowed from: Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces: Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Click on the picture to follow the link.}}]]
+In order to identify preferred learning style in Kolb's model, "**[[http://www.haygroup.com/au/services/index.aspx?ID=14323|learning style inventory]]**" method has been developed. This **method for determining an individual’s optimal learning style**, strengths and weaknesses consists of a survey which explores one's perceiving (how one prefers to acquire information) and processing (how one makes sense of new things). Various variants of this method can be found in simplified free on-line tests((For example: [[http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/teachingseminar/KolbLearningStyleInventoryInfo.pdf|Duncan, D. Kolb Learning Style Inventory. University of Colorado at Boulder.]])) and newer methods like //the adaptive style inventory// or //the learning skills profile//  have also been introduced(([[http://www.google.hr/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Flearningfromexperience.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F08%2FAdaptive-flexibility-2000.pdf&rct=j&q=Learning%20styles%20and%20adaptive%20flexibility&ei=wJJLTsipB4ee-QbUgoT3CA&usg=AFQjCNEtw0y7d9xEjMbQGRCJW4B0K7Kycg&cad=rja|Mainemelis, Charalampos, Richard E. Boyatzis, and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Adaptive Flexibility. Management Learning 33, no. 1: 5 -33, March 2002.]])).
-In order to identify preferred learning style in Kolb's model, "**[[http://www.haygroup.com/au/services/index.aspx?ID=14323|learning style inventory]]**" method has been developed. This **method for determining an individual’s optimal learning style**, strengths and weaknesses consists of a survey which explores one's perceiving (how one prefers to acquire information) and processing (how one makes sense of new things). Various variants of this method can be found in simplified free on-line tests((For example: [[http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/teachingseminar/KolbLearningStyleInventoryInfo.pdf|Duncan, D. Kolb Learning Style Inventory. University of Colorado at Boulder.]])).
 ===== What is the practical meaning of experiential learning? =====
-Experiential learning is a model **suggested for adult learners**. General implications of this model are that **teaching/learning process should consist of all four stages of Kolb's model**, but it also suggests **individual changes** should be applied, depending on learners learning style.
+Experiential learning is a model **suggested for adult learners**. General implications of this model are that teaching/learning process should consist of all four stages of Kolb's model, but it also suggests **individual changes** should be applied, depending on learners learning style.
   * **Assimilators** - prefer **watching**, **thinking** and **good explanations of theories and ideas** to practical experiences. This kind of learners usually enjoy lectures and readings as well as having enough time to think about new ideas.
@@ Line 56: / Line 59: @@
   * **Divergers** - prefer **watching**, **collecting information**, **working in groups** and brainstorm instead of having practical experience.
-Kolb's theory was applied in a number of studies on topics that include education, computer and information science, psychology, management, medicine, nursing, accounting and law(([[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and C. Mainemelis. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles. The educational psychology series: 227–247. 2001.]]))(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212. 2005.]])).
+Kolb's theory was applied in a number of studies on topics that include (online) education, computer and information science, psychology, management, medicine, nursing, accounting and law.(([[http://www.d.umn.edu/~kgilbert/educ5165-731/Readings/experiential-learning-theory.pdf|Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and C. Mainemelis. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles. The educational psychology series: 227–247, 2001.]]))(([[http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.127.6489&rep=rep1&type=pdf|Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212. 2005.]]))(([[http://www.sicet.org/journals/ijttl/issue0501/Richmond.Vol1.Iss1.pp45-54.pdf|Richmond, A. S, and R. Cummings. Implementing Kolb’s learning styles into online distance education. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning 1, no. 1: 45–54, 2005.]]))
 ===== Criticisms =====
-Kolb's theory has influenced other authors to create similar models for determining of preferred learning style. The critique that Kolb's learning styles inventory was difficult to apply to people who never really paid attention to how they learn more efficiently encouraged Peter Honey and Alan Mumford to create their //learning styles questionnaire// (LSQ). It was based on Kolb's theory, but instead of asking people how they learn it was probing for most common learning behaviors.
 Some of the criticisms(([[http://reviewing.co.uk/research/experiential.learning.htm#2#ixzz1HFOLReyw|Greenaway, R. Experiential Learning articles and critiques of David Kolb's theory]])) referring to Kolb's theory include((Forrest, C. Kolb's Learning Cycle. Train the Trainer. Issue 12, 2004.)):

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