Experiential Learning

Eugene Smith
October 3, 2012

Experiential Learning

​In order to understand this topic, I had to put it in context of my previous understanding of learning. Kolb relied on the work of Piaget to formulate the research that was conducted. As a former student of psychology, I was interested in learning and developmental psychology. For me to fully understand the research and the literature that I have read I went back to the research of Piaget. In Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, he concluded that there were four stages of development that children go through. These stages are: 1) sensorimotor, 2) pre-operational, 3) concrete operational and 4) formal operational.
Within Piaget’s research, he discussed several topics that I believe relate to Kolb’s theory of Experiential Learning. Piaget saw that through each stage of development, children have schemas that they use from one stage to the next. A schema is a basic building block of knowledge that is used and helps formulate our understanding of a greater concept. As we mature and are exposed to new environments and experiences, we rely on our previous knowledge in order to understand a greater concept. For example, in order to understand Experiential Learning I am referring back to my previous knowledge of Piaget’s Cognitive Development. As Piaget’s theory further develops, the concepts of assimilation and accommodation that have direct implications to Kolb’s theory.
Piaget further discussed his theory of cognitive development by describing that learning is a form of adaptation. This happens when a child’s intellectual growth adjusts to new experiences and concepts. These new experiences and concepts are assimilated using existing schemas to understand the new concept. On the other hand, if a child is not able to understand the concept or experience the child then has to accommodate and change their understanding because their existing schema does not work. This is a brief understanding of Piaget’s previous work on Cognitive Development that I used in order to understand Kolb’s theory of Experiential Learning.
Kolb discusses four stages of learning that is in response to a cycle. Kolb stated that “learning is a process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.” The four stages of Experiential Learning are: 1) Concrete Experience, 2) Reflective Observation, 3) Abstract Conceptualization and 4) Active Experimentation. Concrete Experience (CE) is described as a full involvement in learning and the learning process. Reflective Observation (RO) is the process where the individual contemplates on previous experiences. Abstract Conceptualization (AC) is defined as a thinking dimension where the individual’s individual formulates and integrates into daily activities. Active Experimentation (AE) is designated as a doing dimension where the individual incorporates all new experiences to form new ideas. Although, the concepts of Experiential Learning are described as stages they are actually in a cycle and the individual must choose which learning ability they will use each time they encounter a new learning environment.
It should be interesting to note that Kolb’s theory is presented to us as a “process of socialization,” and we are constantly being socialized on a day to day basis. I connect this understanding of socialization to higher education and becoming a student affairs professional. We are constantly being socialized to the norms of student affairs professional. This process of development occurs through acquisition, specialization, and integration. Students acquire the knowledge and understanding of their field. The student then begins to specialize in the field by obtaining certain skills that would make them effective in the field. From here the student then integrates their understanding of the field into their daily work life and professional development.
Furthermore, Kolb’s theory describes learning styles that a learner must choose in order to learn effectively. Kolb’s learning styles are convergers (AC + AE), divergers (CE + RO), assimilators (AC + RO), and accommodators (CE + AE). Convergers are problem solvers and decision makers. Divergers are imaginative and aware of values and meaning making. Assimilators use inductive reasoning to integrate new ideas. Finally, accommodators implement plans, complete tasks and are open to new experiences. I personally believe that I see myself as an accommodator because I am goal oriented and I am open new ideas and experiences. I also learned that learning styles can change over time and are based on new learning experiences.