Experiential learning is a method of learning that involves actively engaging students in direct experiences and reflection on those experiences. This type of learning emphasises the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and values through active participation in hands-on, real-world experiences rather than through passive absorption of information.
Some key features of experiential learning include:
- Active participation: Students are actively involved in the learning process, rather than being passive recipients of information.
- Real-world context: Learning takes place in a context that is relevant and meaningful to the students.
- Reflection: Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences in order to make connections between their experiences and the new knowledge and skills they have acquired.
Examples of experiential learning include:
- Field trips: Visiting a museum, factory, or other real-world setting to learn about a topic.
- Service learning: Participating in volunteer work or community service projects to learn about social issues and civic responsibility.
- Internships: Gaining practical experience in a particular field by working with professionals in that field.
- Role-playing: Acting out a scenario or situation in order to learn about it.
- Simulation: Using a model or computer program to simulate a real-world situation in order to learn about it.
Experiential learning is considered as a powerful way of learning, as it allows students to see the relevance of what they’re learning to the real world, and make connections between the knowledge they acquire in the classroom and the skills they use in their everyday lives.
