Understanding the four stages of learning
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Learning isn’t a passive process.
It also doesn’t just involve memorizing facts.
His theory of experiential learning involves learning from experience.
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Kolb was influenced by the work of other theorists, includingJohn Dewey,Kurt Lewin, andJean Piaget.
Knowledge results from the combinations of grasping and transforming the experience."
Experiential learning theory differs from cognitive and behavioral theories.
First, we must grasp the experience.
Then, we must transform it.
According to Kolb, concrete experience provides information that serves as a basis for reflection.
From these reflections, weassimilatethe information and form abstract concepts.
People then use these concepts to develop new theories about the world, which they then actively test.
However, this process doesnt always begin with experience.
Instead, each individual must grab the learning mode that will be most effective based on the specific situation.
While situational variables are important, our own preferences play a large role.
These preferences also serve as the basis forKolb’s learning styles.
In this learning style model, each of the four types has dominant learning abilities in two areas.
Experiential learning can be good for helping people explore their own strengths when learning new things.
Takeaways
Kolb’s theory of experiential learning suggests that learning involves a dynamic, four-stage cycle.
Rather than having step-by-step stages, learning can begin at any point in the cycle.
He also suggested that people have different learning styles based on how they prefer to process and experience information.
Discovering your personal learning preferences can make the process feel much more engaging and enjoyable for you.
Pearson Education, Inc; 2015.
Sternberg RJ, Zhang L-fang.Perspectives on Thinking, Learning, and Cognitive Styles.
Florence: Taylor and Francis; 2014.
2018;29(4):222-227. doi:10.1080/14739879.2018.1461027
