An important theory in Higher Education is the Use of
Experiential Learning. Carl Rogers defines experiential learning as needs that “address
the needs and wants of the learner,” (Culatta, 2013). The ideal behind this is
that people grow and learn with what they want know. Knowledge is not always
learned by the typical interaction of learning in a class room. Rogers defines learning into two different categories
one being “experiential” or significant learning and the other being “cognitive”
or meaningless learning. I would compare his cognitive learning definition as
that of being taught to rather than learning hands one. Rogers explains experiential
learning can only be done by those of a certain set of qualities but everyone
has the natural ability to learn.
Since every human has the ability to learn than how they
learn is directed by their teacher. The teachers have the ability to provide 5 settings
themes in learning. The first would be to make the classroom or learning environment
positive. Second would be to clearly identify the purpose of why the learner is
doing what they are doing. The third would be to make any resources available and
organized in a way that is easy for students use. The fourth would be to help
the student learn how to create a good balance between the “intellectual and
emotional components of learning,”( Culatta, 2013). The fifth setting that the
teacher assists with is providing knowledge of their own experience and
feelings on subjects. However, teachers have to be careful not to over empower
their thoughts on the students so that they can also learn to think and develop
on their own. Along with these five
things learning is only facilitated when the student partakes in the 3
processes.
The first process would be that the student actually participates
in the learning process. The student has to want to learn and have control over
what they allow their mind to know. The second process is that the learning is actually
based upon something that is “social, personal or a reach problem. The third process
that would need to happen is that the student is able to effectively self-evaluate.
The student has to realize how to look at their methods and know what was
successful and what they may need help doing in the future.
Some history around experiential learning it is an approach
on psychology based off of theory’s for adult learners which were created by
Knowles and Cross. In 1982 a professional by the name of Combs looked at Rogers
work and examined the significant of it. This particular theory reminds me a
lot of on that I learned in my Higher Education Student Development Theory
Class. The theory way by David Kolb and the basic principles is similar to that of Rogers. More information
on Kolb’s theory can be found at http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm.
Rogers’s theory runs off of four basic principles.
The first principal of exponential learning is that will
occur when the subject is something that is of interest to the student on a
personal level. The second basic principal is that learning that may be threating
to a student development and gestalt is minimal when there are external
threats. The third principal is that the learning will happen faster when the
threats are lowered. The fourth and final principal is that the learning is motivated
by the student, lasting and pervasive. This is a learning style that is quite frequently
used in higher education.
Exponential learning is something that could be and is currently
being used constructively for incorporation of internet based applications. For
all programs that are online this would be a great way for professors to help
students learn and interact with people out of the realm of the typical
classroom. I know what I was in college I was taking a web design class online
and I had to develop a website for a local non-profit organization. This was
real experience where I had to work with a company and learn about how I would
be putting everything that I learned into action. I think this is an important
part that is sometimes left out of education. I think with the new advancements
of online games and simulations it is make the experiential learning so much
greater. Also, I believe
that the new requirements for internships and co-ops are also adding to this.
References:
Culatta, R. (2013). Experiential learning (carl
rogers) . Retrieved from
http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/experiental-learning.html
Experiential Learning, as summarized so nicely by you, sounds like my classroom! I didn’t even know it. I was just observed last week by my principal and during our post conference, he complimented me in several of the areas that you have described as the 5 settings. He explained that I do a really great job of providing a positive community, identifying the objectives, and describing my personal experiences. Of course his comments made me really ecstatic. I am even more excited after reading your summary because I feel like I am on the right track to helping my students “own” what they are learning. Just when I thought I wasn’t on top of my game, this week proved wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather difficult at times to lead my students partake in the three processes all the time. It is easy to hook them into lessons with high interest content, but very difficult otherwise. That’s when I need to employ my own energy and creativity. My principal said I am really good at finding ways to relate material to my students. I am glad to hear that my “skill” is actually been researched and very effective.
To apply this type of learning to internet based applications is easy! Kids want to play the games and utilize different sites on the internet. Because they want to do it, they are interested in it, and therefore will learn or at least build knowledge and experiences upon which they further their skills.