Scribd
Upload
167 views

Experiential Learning Theory

Kolb's experiential learning theory outlines a four-stage cyclical model of learning: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Knowledge is created through the transformation of experience at each stage of the cycle. Kolb also described four distinct learning styles - diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodating - based on how people understand and process information through different combinations of concrete experience or abstract conceptualization and active experimentation or reflective observation.

Uploaded by

anas ikram
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
167 views

Experiential Learning Theory

Kolb's experiential learning theory outlines a four-stage cyclical model of learning: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Knowledge is created through the transformation of experience at each stage of the cycle. Kolb also described four distinct learning styles - diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodating - based on how people understand and process information through different combinations of concrete experience or abstract conceptualization and active experimentation or reflective observation.

Uploaded by

anas ikram
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Experiential Learning Theory:

Kolb's experiential learning theory (ELT) was given by David A. Kolb, who published his model
in 1984. Its a four-stage cyclical theory of learning, Kolb’s experiential learning theory it is a
method where a person's skills and job requirements can be assessed and can be measured. It is
defined by Kolb as ‘the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of
experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience’
The learning cycle involves four stages namely:

 concrete learning
 reflective observation
 abstract conceptualization
 active experimentation.
Effective learning can be seen when the learner progresses through the cycle. The learner can
also enter the cycle at any stage of the cycle with logical sequence.
Concrete experience: This means exploring what happened, noting observations, paying
attention to the feelings of yourself and others. It means building up a multidimensional picture
of the experience.
Reflective observation: The second stage of the cycle involves analyzing all this information to
arrive at theories, models or concepts that explain the experience in terms of why things
happened the way they did. This theorizing or conceptualizing about experience is very
important to learning. It is where solutions to problems, innovative ideas and lateral thinking
come from.
Abstract conceptualization: This stage involves deciding what is most important and
generating ideas about how to improve future actions. It is working out how to put what has been
learned into practice.
Active experimentation: This stage is where a learner will apply the ideas to his surroundings to
see if there are any modifications in the next appearance of the experience. All this will lead to
the next concrete experience. This can happen over a short duration or over a long duration of
time.

Kolb's learning styles:


Kolb's learning style is explained on the basis of two dimensions: they are how a person
understands and processes the information. Individuals can be divided into four groups
depending on how they understand and process the information.
 Diverging
 Assimilating
 Converging
 Accommodating
Diverging: Individuals of this kind of learning style look at things in a different perspective.
They prefer watching than doing, also they have strong imagination capacity, emotional, strong
in arts, prefer to work in groups, open minded to take feedback and they have broad interests in
different cultures and people. The learning characteristic is of concrete experience and reflective
observation.
Assimilating: People of this kind of learning style prefer good clear information, they can
logically format the given information and exploring analytic models. They are more interested
in concepts and abstracts than in people. Characteristics include abstract conceptualization and
reflective observation.
Converging: Converging type of learners solve problems. They apply their learning to practical
issues. Also, they prefer technical tasks, and they experiment with new ideas. They tend to
be unemotional. The learning characteristics are abstract conceptualization and active
experimentation.
Accommodating: Individuals with this kind of learning styles prefer to do things practically.
They are attracted to new challenges and solve problems intuitively. The learning characteristics
are concrete experience and active experimentation.

You might also like