Experiential Learning (Definition + Examples)

practical psychology logo
Published by:
Practical Psychology
on
Courtney Beatey
Reviewed by:
Courtney Beatey, B.Ed

“Go to your room and think about what you’ve done!”

You’ve heard parents say this to their kids before. The child has done something bad, and the parents want to teach them a lesson.

In reality, the child will probably go to their room and pout. But if they were to reflect on their experience, they would probably think about the connection between their behavior and the consequences. When they do A, B happens. If they were to do C, B probably wouldn’t happen.

Whether you are a child who has been scolded for disobeying their parents or a person learning a new skill, this reflection process is vital to experiential learning. In this video, I will explain experiential learning, the processes in which we use experiential learning, and how this helps us grow and develop throughout our lives.

What is Experiential Learning?

It’s pretty easy to guess the definition of experiential learning. It’s learning through experience. But to understand how this happens, we must understand how reflection plays a role in this process.

We are meaning-making creatures. When something happens to us, particularly something negative, our brain wants to make sense of it. Yes, we got an F on a test - but why? Our invention didn’t work - but why?

After we experience something, we can learn from that experience through reflection. Sometimes, this reflection is done consciously. We ask ourselves, “What actions led to me missing the basket?” or “What contributed to my success in budgeting this year?” However, this reflection does not have to be conscious or purposeful for experiential learning to happen.

Experiential learning begins early in life. The first stage of cognitive development, as theorized by Jean Piaget, is the sensorimotor stage. It lasts from birth to age two. During this stage, babies realize that actions have consequences, even if they don’t have a language to articulate them. They learn to walk after falling over and over again, trying new things until they hold themselves up long enough to walk across the room.

David Kolb’s Learning Model

David Kolb is renowned for his model of experiential learning. According to Kolb, experiential learning involves four steps. Each step can be divided into two processes individuals use to grasp and transform their experiences.

the experiential learning model

Beginning with the process of grasping an experience, individuals can rely on the following:

  1. Concrete Experience or
  2. Abstract Conceptualization.

For those familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), these processes resonate with the third letter of the MBTI types: 'F' for Feeling and 'T' for Thinking. Specifically, Feeling parallels Concrete Experience, where individuals absorb information based on emotions and direct experiences. On the other hand, Thinking mirrors Abstract Conceptualization, where individuals lean more toward logical analysis and systematic planning. Numerous studies have shown consistency in these MBTI categorizations, further strengthening the analogy.

Once an experience is grasped, individuals then transform it through:

  1. Reflective Observation or
  2. Active Experimentation.

Here, we can draw parallels with another aspect of the MBTI. Reflective Observation aligns with Introversion, characterized by introspection and contemplation. Conversely, Active Experimentation is akin to Extroversion, where individuals are more action-oriented and learn through interaction.

Each MBTI type has a descriptive title, like ENTJs being termed “The Commanders” or INFPs as “The Empath.” Similarly, Kolb provides titles based on individuals' predominant learning styles:

  • Concrete Experience + Active Experimentation: "The Accommodators."
  • Concrete Experience + Reflective Observation: "The Divergers."
  • Abstract Conceptualization + Active Experimentation: "The Convergers."
  • Abstract Conceptualization + Reflective Observation: "The Assimilators."

The intersection of MBTI and Kolb's model suggests that our personality traits might influence our preferred learning styles, offering educators and learners valuable insights into personalized education.

Limitations

Of course, this is not an end-all, be-all theory to how people learn. Kolb’s theory of experiential learning does have limitations. It doesn’t address how group work and collaboration affect reflection, nor does it address ways that we learn without reflection.

Experiential Learning Examples

Experiential learning does happen in the classroom, although not as a traditional lecture. Our experience lies in how we absorb, process, and study information. How do your experiences studying affect your grades? How do your attention and class participation affect how you remember the information later?

Building Skills

Experiential learning is more likely to happen as we build skills. Learning to pitch a fastball requires experiential learning. Interacting appropriately in a business meeting requires experiential learning. Experiential learning is crucial to developing (and building) everyday skills, whether you are actively experimenting or watching others in action.

Playing or Making Music

Music is an excellent example of experiential learning. Did you know that playing an instrument uses more of your brain than any other activity? You are seeing the notes on the page, playing those notes with your hands and feet, and you are experiential learning in real-time. As soon as you hear a note that is out of tune, your brain makes meaning of the experience, and you adjust your breath, the instrument, or whatever is causing the note to sound sour.

Retention of Learning Pyramid

learning pyramid

Another form of experiential learning is teaching others. Talk about a hands-on experience with the material. Teaching others a skill or information is arguably one of the best ways to learn and retain the material.

This idea goes back decades to when David Kolb was still a child. In 1946, educator Edgar Dale created a “Cone of Experience.” The cone displays various educational methods, from concrete to abstract experiences. At the top of the cone are “verbal symbols,” and at the bottom are “direct, purposeful experiences.”

The Cone of Experience has undergone quite a makeover since 1946, making it a famous model in education. Nowadays, the Cone of Experience is called the Learning Pyramid. The pyramid shows how much information we retain by hearing it through a lecture, teaching it to others, etc.

At the bottom of the pyramid is teaching others. When we teach others, we engage in experiential learning that applies not only to our experience but also to the experience of others. We have to transform our experience to transform the student’s experience.

learning the piano with the experiential learning model

The more consciously you grasp and transform your experience, the more you learn. If you hope to build on your skills or learn something new, it’s time to get out there and do it!

Reference this article:

Practical Psychology. (2019, October). Experiential Learning (Definition + Examples). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/experiential-learning-definition-examples/.

About The Author

Photo of author