Experiential Learning

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Experiential Learning

• Knowledge application of theory
• Critique of Kolb
• Alternative approaches (Race)

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Tell me and I forget. Show me and I may remember.
Involve me and I will understand
Confucious
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• Cyclical pattern of learning
• Experience
• Reflection
• Conceptualising to action
• Further application/experience

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Critiques of Kolb

• Adult Education
• Psychological
• Experiential Education perspective
• Management of Education perspective
• Pedagogic perspective
• Learning theory perspective

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Adult Education Critique
Learning includes goals, purposes, intentions,
choice and decision making and it is not clear
where these fit within the learning cycle Rogers
(Alan) (1996) Teaching Adults
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Psychological Critique
It is narrow and underdeveloped Its arranged to
support Kolbs preferred paradigm of scientific
enquiry Heron, J (1992)
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Experiential Education Critique

• Kolbs theory is based upon research which
  measures the non-conscious development of
  psycho-motor skills. The evidence that other
  kinds of learning follow this pattern is weak
• Application of Kolbs theory that it is a
  deliberate educational event has never been
  shown. Neither has the transfer of learning from
  one context to another been deomonstrated
• Loynes, C (2000)

• The research lacked sample including cultural mix
• Too linear in process
• Circular model gives impression that stages are
  equal in time
• Dickson (Tracey) (2000)

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Management of Education Critique

• Kolbs theory is rooted in Cognitive psychology.
  Ignores social cultural aspects of self
  thinking action
• Social interactions of a person are important to
  the development of the self
• Question the sequential nature of the model
• Beard Wilson (2002)

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How does learning happen best? Phil Race Never
mind the teaching- feel the learning. Race, p
(1993) Dislikes sequential, step-by step
approaches

• The brain can work on overlapping areas at once
• We have feelings about it
• We make sense of feedback
• All the stages of learning are going on at the
  same time

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General Critique

• What is Learning?
• Can learning be seen as in terms of distinct
  cyclical stages
• In reality all these things may be happening at
  once (Jeff Smith, 1999)
• Insufficient attention to the process of
  reflection (Boud. Et al, 1983)
• The model takes very little account of different
  cultural experiences/differences the idea of
  stages or steps does not sit well with the
  reality of thinking (Dewey 1933)
• Empirical research for model is weak (Jarvis
  1987 Tennant 1997)

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Additional sources

• Reynolds, M (1997) Learning Styles A Critique,
  Sage, London
• Holman, D, Pavlica, K Thorpe, R (1997)
  Rethinking Kolbs theory of experiential learning
  in management education, Management learning,
  Sage, London
• http/reviewing.co.uk/experiential.learning.theory
  .critique.htm
• Rogers, A (1996) Teaching Adults (2nd ed.).
  BuckinghamOpen University Press
• Jeffs Smith, (1999) at http/www.infed.org/found
  ations/f-expirn.htm

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