Educationally and pedagogically written and reviewed by Academic and Circular Writer Alex Genik, and Academic Writer & Researcher Dr. Maryam Iftikhar, Ph.D.
Experiential Learning: Mastering Skills Through Observation and Practice
Experiential learning is a process of learning by observing an experienced professional and then attempting to mimic it in a series of trial and error. This term can be conceptualized as a four-stage cycle that includes:
- Abstract conceptualization, a process of simply observing the work performed by a professional.
- Active experimentation, which can be conceptualized as an attempt to implement the acquired knowledge.
- Concrete experience, which is obtained by trying to perform work after the professional.
- Reflective observation, a process of mistake analysis and improvement while still observing the actions of a professional.
Experiential learning is also sometimes defined as a method for linking academic knowledge and practical skills or a method that stresses the practical application of knowledge in real-world situations. Referring to the stages of experiential learning, as articulated by David Kolb, remains one of the most effective ways of defining the concept.
Experiential Learning Benefits & Drawbacks
Experiential learning is widely considered one of the best learning techniques. The benefit of this learning method for guitar players is that they pick up on correct hand positions and movement and eliminate strain by adopting the correct positioning after their teachers. Similarly, other musical students can avoid common mistakes and significantly boost their progress. Some operations, where the margin for error is small, such as surgeries, benefit from experiential learning, as it allows for the quick and timely performance of needed medical operations and diagnosing problems. The main benefit of experiential learning is that those who follow it can learn about the intricacies of the process, as well as common mistakes, and directly consult a more experienced person on how to tackle them without the necessity to look for a solution from a secondary source.
However, the drawback of experiential learning is that it is quite time-consuming, especially if the task at hand requires significant mastery. Thus, the applicability of experiential learning may depend on various factors, including the characteristic traits of a person. These traits can include their learning style, their ability to learn from mistakes, and their willingness to take risks. For example, a person who is more risk-averse may find experiential learning more challenging than someone who is more comfortable with uncertainty. Understanding these characteristic traits can help educators and learners to better tailor their approach to experiential learning.
Experiential Learning Examples
Examples of experiential learning can be found in many classrooms and on the worksites, where more experienced workers and professionals pass on their experience to a younger generation. For example, novice guitar players frequently strain their right hand and position it incorrectly on the deck of the instrument. A master, on the other hand, knows common mistakes and possible discrepancies, which will enable him to pass on the knowledge on the correct positioning of the right hand.
The cooking schools are also heavily based on experiential learning, although structured at first. Once the students get a grab of the basic motor skills, such as knife handling, preparing the ingredients, and correctly handling them, chefs start to share their experiences regarding the tiny intricacies of the process and how to fix the consistency and texture of dishes, which is a knowledge that can only be passed on in person. Chefs need to not only see, but also smell the ingredients and finished product, which makes learning the process possible only through the experiential learning technique.
Experiential Learning: Teach Simple’s Perspective
Although experiential learning can be perceived as a narrow education-related concept, this phenomenon is multifaceted, with its roots embedded in medieval artisan practices. European artisanship, in particular, was heavily influenced by experiential learning. Craftsmen would often learn their trade through apprenticeships, where they would observe and imitate the work of a master. This hands-on, experiential learning approach was instrumental in the development of European artisanship and, as a result, many modern industries.
Experiential learning is not only an important concept for educators, but also for organizational leaders and policymakers. Whenever a training program must be introduced, an educator should consider experiential learning, as a way to effectively familiarize students with unobvious intricacies of the process.
Although experiential learning has certain drawbacks, such as the possible emergence of information anxiety and significant time requirements, some skills can be best learned by relying on this approach. This especially concerns fine motor skills and certain trait-based behaviors, where copying the desired traits helps students develop unique interpretations. Experiential learning can find its modern applications in musicianship, sports, organizational learning, IT, finances, medical care, and many other industries.
References
- Bower, G. G. (2014, July 1). Theory and practice: Utilizing Dewey׳s experiential learning theory to implement a 5k road race. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2014.06.001
- Kolb, D. A. (1984, January 1). Experiential Learning: Experience As The Source Of Learning And Development. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235701029_Experiential_Learning_Experience_As_The_Source_Of_Learning_And_Development