Kolb's Model of Experiential Learning

Kolb's Model of Experiential Learning - U of Colorado, Denver

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1. Learning is a process whereby knowledge is created through experience
2. Experiences are a transformational process
3. Students actively construct their experience within a sociocultural context
4. Provides a framework for designing active, collaborative, and interactive learning experiences.

Phases of Kolb's Model Mapped to Instructional Activities and eLearning Tools

Concrete experiences

• Emphasizes personal involvement with people in everyday situations
• Learner relies more on feelings than a systematic approach to problems and situations
• In a learning situation, learner relies on the ability to be open minded and adapt to change

Reflective observation

• Learner understands ideas and situations from different points of view
• Learner relies on own thoughts and feelings in forming opinions
• In a learning situation, learner relies on patience, objectivity and careful judgment but would not necessarily take any action.

Abstract conceptualization

• Learning involves logic and ideas rather than feelings to understand problems or situations
• Learner relies on systematic planning, develops theories and ideas to solve problems.

Active experimentation

• Learning takes an active form: experimenting with influencing or changing situations
• Learner takes a practical approach and is concerned with what works as opposed to simply watching a situation
• Learner values getting things doen and seeing the results of their influence and ingenuity.
  
  Kolb Model of Experiential Learning
  Kolb's Phases - Instructional Activities and eLearning Tools
  
  Experiential Learning - http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/experience.htm