What is experiential learning?
Experiential means “based on experience”, thus experiential learning can be defined as an engaged learning process whereby the educator actively engages with the learners in order to increase knowledge and develop skills.
Experiential learning is related to other forms of active learning, and is also often referred to as ‘learning by doing’ and ‘learning through experience’. Experiential learning is, in many ways, contrasted to learning through instruction.
Examples of experiential learning
Learning methods such as field exercises, lab experiments and internships, are great ways to experience experiential learning. Also, working with real organizations, real challenges and real projects or clients, is also a great way to experience experiential learning. Working with real-life projects is the only way to experience whether a theory works in reality or not.
For instances, going to the zoo to learn about animals by observing them, in contrast to reading about them, is a great example of experiential learning.
Benefits of experiential learning
Generally, we learn more quickly and retain what we learn better, when doing something instead of only hearing or reading about something. We also tend to “tune out” of lectures and courses if we feel like the material doesn’t pertain to the real world.
Experiential learning on the other hand, bridges the gap between theory and practise, and allows us to connect the material and information we’ve learned to the world around us. Thus, experiential learning also increases the creative and innovative capacity within a group.
How to facilitate experiential learning?
Experiential learning is a great way of providing learners with a safe space to fail. Learning how to overcome failure and to build resilience after failure, are extremely important skills. However, for people to feel safe enough to try new things, express new ideas and truly experience experimental learning, a safe learning space is required.
Designing and facilitating a safe learning space, in which experiential learning can take place, requires training and knowledge. At Kaospilot, a world-renowned business and design school, you have the opportunity to learn how to design and facilitate learning spaces, and learn the art and craft of experiential learning.
In Kaospilot’s three-day masterclass, Designing & Facilitating Learning Spaces Part 1, you will be trained in experiential learning as well as how to facilitate learning processes. Building on the first masterclass, Part 2 aims to further strengthen your ability to execute experiential learning journeys.