Table of Contents

Experiential Learning Theory

General

Experiential learning theory is a cycle learning theory introduced by American educational theorist David Kolb1) in 19712) and was inspired by earlier works of Kurt Lewin, Jean Piaget3) and John Dewey. As it was developed within humanist paradigm, experiential learning offers a holistic perspective on learning and is orientated mostly on adult learning. Name of this theory was intended to should emphasize the importance of experience in the learning process.

Experiential learning theory defines learning as

What is experiential learning?

The experiential learning theory is based on six propositions5) short described with the following three:

  1. Learning is best described as a holistic process of creating knowledge and adapting to the world.
  2. Learning is actually relearning, since it is greatly dependent on already learned material.
  3. Learning is driven by conflict, differences, and disagreement and results in assimilation and accommodation.

Kolb's original four learning styles and stages. Image borrowed from: http://www.businessballs.com/... Click on the picture to follow the link.

Kolb6) suggests two opposite modes of acquiring experience:

and two opposite modes of transforming that experience into knowledge:

All of these components together form a circle of learning in which they follow one after another: CE→RO→AC→AE→CE→… The very process of learning can begin in any of them. Still, every learner develops strengths in some of mentioned modes more than in others and learn better under those conditions, which results in four different learning styles identified also by Kolb7)8):

The new 9 learning styles. Notice how the old learning styles now form the corners of the rectangle. Image borrowed from: Kolb, D A. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces: Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Click on the picture to follow the link.

Kolb's model was later refined by himself and other researchers10)11)12) through improvement of the learning styles grid resolution from 2×2 to 3×3 by introducing five additional learning styles13):

In order to identify preferred learning style in Kolb's model, “learn­ing style inven­tory” method has been developed. This method for determining an individual’s optimal learn­ing style, strengths and weaknesses consists of a survey which explores one's perceiving (how one prefers to acquire information) and processing (how one makes sense of new things). Various variants of this method can be found in simplified free on-line tests and newer methods like the adaptive style inventory or the learning skills profile have also been introduced14).

Kolb's theory has also influenced other authors to create similar models for determining of preferred learning style. The critique that Kolb's learning styles inventory was difficult to apply to people who never really paid attention to how they learn more efficiently encouraged Peter Honey and Alan Mumford to create their Learning Styles Questionnaire15). It was based on Kolb's theory, but instead of asking people how they learn it was probing for most common learning behaviors. Other similar models include: Anthony Gregorc's Mind Styles Model16), Neil Fleming's VARK Model17) and other.

What is the practical meaning of experiential learning?

Experiential learning is a model suggested for adult learners. General implications of this model are that teaching/learning process should consist of all four stages of Kolb's model, but it also suggests individual changes should be applied, depending on learners learning style.

Kolb's theory was applied in a number of studies on topics that include (online) education, computer and information science, psychology, management, medicine, nursing, accounting and law.18)19)20)

Criticisms

Some of the criticisms referring to Kolb's theory suggest:

Results of experimental validation vary: a meta-study of 81 studies implementing experiential learning resulted in 61.7% of the studies supporting it, 16.1% showing mixed support, and 22.2% not support experiential learning theory.24) In another meta-study of learning style inventory assessment, out of analyzed studies, 49 showed strong support, 40 showed mixed support, and 12 studies showed no support at all.25)

Keywords and most important names

Bibliography

Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and C. Mainemelis. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles. The educational psychology series: 227–247. 2001.

Experiential Learning (Kolb). Learning Theories Knowledgebase. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

Kearsley, G. Experiential Learning. Theory Into Practice Database. Retrieved February 8, 2011.

Greenaway, R. Experiential Learning articles and critiques of David Kolb's theory. Retrieved March 21, 2011.

Lowy, Alex, and Phil Hood. The power of the 2x2 matrix: using 2x2 thinking to solve business problems and make better decisions. John Wiley and Sons, 2004.

Big Dog and Little Dog's Performance Juxtaposition: Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles Questionnaire. Retrieved February 8, 2011.

Read more

Kolb, David A. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 1984.

Kolb, David A. Learning style inventory. Boston, MA: McBer and Company. 1985.

Kolb, D. A, R. E Boyatzis, and Mainemelis, C. Experiential learning theory: Previous research and new directions. Perspectives on thinking, learning, and cognitive styles: p227–247. 2001.

Kayes, D. Christopher. Experiential Learning and Its Critics: Preserving the Role of Experience in Management Learning and Education. Academy of Management Learning & Education 1, no. 2: 137-149, December 2002.

2)
Kolb, D. A. Individual learning styles and the learning process. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1971.
21)
Forrest, C. Kolb's Learning Cycle. Train the Trainer, 12, 2004. cited by Greenaway, R. Experiential Learning articles and critiques of David Kolb's theory.
24)
Hickcox, L. K. 1991. An historical review of Kolb’s formulation of experiential learning theory. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon, Corvallis. Cited by Kolb, Alice Y., and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212, 2005.
25)
Iliff, C. H. 1994. Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory: A meta-analysis. Unpublished Doctoral dissertation, Boston University, Boston, MA. Cited by Kolb, Alice Y., and David A. Kolb. Learning Styles and Learning Spaces : Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning Education 4, no. 2: 193-212, 2005.