The Power of Experiential Learning in Higher Education

In 350 BCE, the ancient Greek philosopher named Aristotle wrote a book called ‘Nicomachean Ethic’, where he said, “For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Who knew that the line written long before the industrial revolutions, world wars, and greatest discoveries, will actually make the entire teaching-learning process of the modern day education so beautiful, engaging and most importantly not complicated!

What is Experiential Learning?

The very core of experiential learning suggests that a student does not need to engage in an activity to gain experience, as sometimes the process of translating the theoretical learning from academic content into real-time life scenarios is also known as experiential learning. You can apply what you learned either in the classroom, or community, or workplace. The skills attained can be applied beyond the classrooms too. According to David A. Kolb, an American educational theorist, experiential learning focuses on the ‘Learning Process’ like learning to ride a bike. This process of learning can be elaborated by the four steps cyclic process known as – Experience Learning Model (ELM), which was drawn out by Kolb. The four steps include Reflective observation, Abstract conceptualization, Active experimentation and Concrete experience. All this together makes learning a holistic experience for a student.

These days, many colleges are offering students across branches for hands-on learning and internship programs during the last year of graduation and post-graduation. From engineering to accountancy to humanities, every stream is prioritizing over experiential learning, as this is what ultimately leads a student towards its much-awaited path of success.

Examples of Experiential Learning

1. Working as a team in a single project – Mostly a group of 4 or 5 students are assigned a topic of their choice to work on with. Students select the project and then they work as a unit to find the desired outcome. This is one of the most important learning as afterward when they will join a corporate office, they will be required to work and collaborate with different teams in the workplace.

2. Attending motivational talks – Listening to really successful personalities live is one hibernating example of experiential learning. Often many overlook the impact creating stories that speakers share in a 3hour or 6hour motivational talk.  If possible, try to attend as many conferences you can that are related to your field. These talks will create work imagery of the industry in your mind and you will get clear ideas on what to do next and how to implement experiences in the workplace.

3. Problem-based learning – An instructor is present in this type of learning who gives students’ sets of day-to-day practical problems and students try solving them based on their experience gained beforehand. Students are previously taken to excursions or corporate visits, based on which the problems are assigned. It is not necessary to find the end result, as the instructor keeps his/her focus on how the student manages the problem.

4. Fellowship/Apprenticeships – The fellowships are usually crafted by universities where students can apply, provided they are eligible. Through the fellowships or apprenticeships, students gain more than 80% percent knowledge on how an industry works. The students, who opt for a fellowship at a certain point during their graduation/post graduation, stay an edge ahead of getting a job upon education completion, as companies prefer such candidates due their prior working knowledge of an industry.

5. Volunteering – This allows students’ to serve in a self-selected community and it is slightly beneficial as, during the volunteering period, students learn how to lead themselves or a small team.

Can you notice one factor which is common to all the examples of experiential learning mentioned above? It is your decision taking capability! Through experiential learning what increases is your ability to make decisions all by yourself as and when required. This is what a corporate firm expects from a new hiring i.e. the tendency to do work and take projects without asking!

Benefits of Experiential Learning

The emotional, intellectual and creative states of mind of a student are enhanced in experiential learning. They also become more responsible towards professional and personal life and in a very short period of time, experiential learning creates a havoc positive impact in the daily routine of a student’s life by instilling discipline in it.