What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is a process where students “learn by doing” through hands-on experiences and reflect on those experiences afterwards (Boston University, n.d.). Experiences are frequently designed so that learning requires initiative and active participation from the learner. David Kolb’s (1984) approach to experiential learning separates this process into a 4 stage cycle – concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. When a student engages in a concrete experience, they encounter something new or interpret a previous event in a novel way. During reflective observation, the student then reflects on their own experience. They consider the significance of this experience through the perspective of their own understanding and knowledge. Abstract conceptualization occurs as the learner generates new concepts or alters their thinking in response to the experience and their subsequent reflection on it. Active experimentation occurs when a student applies new ideas to the setting to see whether any adjustments are necessary. This procedure may be carried either quickly or slowly, depending on the circumstances.

How does it align with our chosen topic?

Experiential learning aligns with our topic as we intend to give hands-on activities to our learners. Our interactive learning resource is about front-end web development and will teach concepts such as HTML and CSS. The activities our learners will complete involve applying the coding concepts they will learn while going through the learning resource to strength their knowledge.

References

Experiential learning » center for teaching & learning | boston university. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/ctl/guides/experiential-learning/

Kolb, D. A. (1984).  Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.