I have been thinking for days about the concept of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle and it is making a lot of sense to me.
Reflecting on my responses to different learning opportunities and the approach I take as a learner depends on my reaction to the social and environmental conditions where, when, and with whom that learning is occurring.
According to Piaget, as cited by Kolb (1984, pp. 23-25) Experiential Learning: experience as the source of learning and development our cognitive development begins at birth and proceeds through 4 stages:
0-2 yrs: Accommodative - Concrete and action
2 -6 yrs: Divergence - Reflective orientation, internalized actions to images
7 - 11 yrs: Assimilation - Concepts and theories used for decisions
12-15 yrs: Convergent - Deductive reasoning testing if theories and hypothetical concepts are true
From fifteen years of age onward Kolb's theory is that there are four steps we all take when learning and not necessarily in strict order: 1) concrete experience (CE), 2) reflective observation (RO), 3) abstract conceptualization (AC), and 4) active experimentation (AE).
Another layer is added with the approach (watch or do) and emotional response (feel or think) which creates tension because we can't (watch and do) nor (feel or think) at the same time. Forcing us to decide what combination of the two will work best for our approach in that moment or learning task, identified as follows:
1. Diverging (CE/RO)
2. Assimilating (AC/RO)
3. Converging (AC/AE)
4. Accommodating (CE/AE)
The simple act of engaging in thought, alone or interacting with others, brings about change (Dewey, 1938, p. 39, 42-43). Change not just in one person instead the changes change everything. Consider the ripple effect of dropping a handful of pebbles into a still pond...or the flavour created when making a broth from a bunch of different ingredients.
According to Piaget, as cited by Kolb (1984, pp. 23-25) Experiential Learning: experience as the source of learning and development our cognitive development begins at birth and proceeds through 4 stages:
0-2 yrs: Accommodative - Concrete and action
2 -6 yrs: Divergence - Reflective orientation, internalized actions to images
7 - 11 yrs: Assimilation - Concepts and theories used for decisions
12-15 yrs: Convergent - Deductive reasoning testing if theories and hypothetical concepts are true
From fifteen years of age onward Kolb's theory is that there are four steps we all take when learning and not necessarily in strict order: 1) concrete experience (CE), 2) reflective observation (RO), 3) abstract conceptualization (AC), and 4) active experimentation (AE).
Another layer is added with the approach (watch or do) and emotional response (feel or think) which creates tension because we can't (watch and do) nor (feel or think) at the same time. Forcing us to decide what combination of the two will work best for our approach in that moment or learning task, identified as follows:
1. Diverging (CE/RO)
2. Assimilating (AC/RO)
3. Converging (AC/AE)
4. Accommodating (CE/AE)
The simple act of engaging in thought, alone or interacting with others, brings about change (Dewey, 1938, p. 39, 42-43). Change not just in one person instead the changes change everything. Consider the ripple effect of dropping a handful of pebbles into a still pond...or the flavour created when making a broth from a bunch of different ingredients.
Knowing that everyone responds differently to learning and the environment in which the learning is occurring. As an instructor I need to provide structure, expectations, resources, guidance, and support to the learners as well as build flexibility into the classroom and lesson plans. Best learning experience can occur when individuals have permission to decide what approach fits with their emotional response (Ryerson).
References:
Doyle, Susan rendition of Kolb's Experiential Learning Circle based on images viewed on kolb's experiential learning theory pictures June 22, 2016.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Kolb84 Kolb Experiential Learning.pdf
Schwartz, Michelle. Ryerson University Handout. Best Practices in Experiential Learning. Learning and Teaching Office (LTO) Best Practices, Issue No. 36: Experiential Learning. Retrieved from http://www.ryerson.ca/content/dam/lt/resources/handouts/ExperientialLearningReport.pdf June 22, 2016.
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