Online Teaching and Learning
32 Experiential Learning Activities
Jennifer Smith
What is Experiential Learning? | Examples | References
What is Experiential Learning?
When it comes to learning new things, there is nothing like first-hand experience. However, it can be a challenge to fit activities that support experience into a semester-based class schedule. Jennifer Smith provides an Overview of Experiential Learning Frameworks (16:28)
“Learning in which the learner is directly in touch with the realities being studied. It is contrasted with learning in which the learner only reads about, hears about, talks about, or writes about these realities but never comes into contact with them as part of the learning process” (Keeton & Tate, 1978).
Alice and David Kolb (Kolb & Kolb, 2018) suggest that a four stage learning cycle can be useful in developing experiential learning activities. Activities that promote curiosity and problem solving can have a big impact. This framework is not intended to be proscriptive, but rather to suggest the need for multiple modes of learning.
Colin Beard (2010) suggests six “dimensions” of learning that can help instructors think creatively about how course concepts may be explored. Beard proposes these dimensions to, “begin the deeper understanding of the complexity of the interrelatedness of whole-person approaches to experiential learning.” (Beard, 2010).
- Belonging: Focus on the “where”
- How do we relate to physical space?
- How can visual and spatial thinking provide a learning map?
- Doing: Focus on the “what”
- Problem-based learning
- Learning about people
- Interacting with objects, technology, or other physical works
- Sensing: Focus on the “how”
- Consider experiences
- Senses support memory
- Feeling: Focus on the “emotions”
- Reflecting
- Metaphors can help explore emotional connection
- Knowing: Focus on the “mind”
- Innovating and creating
- Moving from concrete to abstract
- Linking kinesthetic and special awareness to mind, body, and voice
- Being: Focus on “awareness” and “change”
- Stories
- Reflecting
- Service learning
Recommendations
The frameworks described above are not intended to be hard and fast rules guiding education-driven experiences. However, the following suggestions are good practice for getting the biggest bang for the time spent (Hart, 2019):
- Provide some student choice
- Opportunities to discuss and reflect
- Includes senses and emotions (whole person)
- Create a final project or work
Learning experiences can become even more important when shifting to remote teaching and learning. Active engagement can help to reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of community.
- Keep in mind that online does not necessarily mean on a computer.
- Ask for help from an Instructional Designer to identify tools and resources to support your activity.
- Observational activities can incorporate publicly available media and data as will as library resources. (Ask for help from your UF Subject S