What is experiential learning?

As its name suggests, experiential learning could be more simply understood as learning by doing. Experiential learning is often associated with constructivist learning theory.

Why is experiential learning useful?

The old adage that “nothing beats practical experience” applies here. By putting students in situations to build real-world experiences—experiences that have both benefits and consequences—students can put their learning into practice. Experiential learning encourages students to make discoveries and experiment with knowledge for themselves, rather than hearing or reading about the experiences of others. Think back to when you were studying to be a teacher, if you were anything like me, then the most valuable time you spent during your college/university education was the time you spent on teaching rounds.

How could you incorporate experiential learning in the classroom?

Chances are, if you’ve read the what and why of experiential learning, then you’ve already formed some ideas about how best to incorporate this learning style into your own classroom. In the early stages of experiential learning, and depending on the age of your students, it may be best to use things like role-plays, games, and simulations of real-life situations. Anything that takes your teaching topic out of the textbook and into the “real world” of your students. It may require you as a teacher to rethink the way you run your class, leading to a more dynamic learning environment.

If the students are a bit older, the experiential learning can take place outside the classroom. Longer-term projects that involve numerous elements both inside and outside the classroom can work well, depending on the class. The preparation of a school magazine is an excellent example. Keep it interesting, but stay focused on the topic you’re driving.

What are the benefits of experiential learning?

The benefits for students are obvious. Experiential learning encourages students to think more freely about how their actions and knowledge can affect real-world scenarios.

I would argue that the key feature of experiential learning is the way it asks you, as the teacher, to change the way you see the classroom. It forces your teaching to become more dynamic and active as you actually learn with your students, reviewing what works and what doesn’t, and improving all the time. It helps keep your teaching style from becoming stale, and that can only be a good thing for everyone.