Experiential learning theory Marta Romanowska Experiential learning takes

Experiential learning theory Marta Romanowska

“Experiential learning takes place when a person involved in an activity looks back and evaluates it, determines what was useful or important to remember, and uses this information to perform another activity. ” John Dewey

John Dewey �Born in Burlington, Vermont in 1859; �He lived in a period of immigration and industrialization. That’s why ethnic, social class and religious diversity have influenced his views on education; �He obtained a Ph. D in 1884; �In 1896 he opened the Laboratory School.

Laboratory School �A place where Dewey tested his ideas of education; �Classes consisted of theoretical work and practice; �The child came to school to DO. Activities were based on craft activities and practical experiences.

Dewey’s beliefs about education � He rejected curriculum-centered view of education and proposed a student-centered view; � His idea of education consisted of the interaction of students with the curriculum in order to make them part of their own knowledge; � Teacher’s role: facilitator or guide; � He wanted to „reinstate into experience” the subject-matter of the curriculum; � He also wanted to construct an environment in which the activities of the learner would include problematic situations.

� He stated that an educator must take into account the unique differences between each student, each person is different genetically and in terms of past experiences; �For Dewey, education has also a social purpose: to help people become more effective members of democratic society. Students need educational experiences which enable them to become valued, equal, and responsible members of society.

Learning process � The learning experience begins with the stimulus that is an act which involves sensors and motor actions, and the content in which the situation occurs; � Student’s past experiences are taken into account in the teaching-learning process, as well as environment in which the event takes place, and the level of learner’s engagement in the experience.

Theory of experience �Dewey’s theory is based on: Continuity: �The past and future matter to the present: past experiences influence the present situation and the experience of the present moment will have an impact on the experience of future moments; Interaction: �Education is living; �Present experience arises from interaction between past experience and present situation.

Emancipation and enlargement �„Emancipation of experience” means to set free experience; �„Enlargement of experience” means to make experience bigger, to extend its limits. Educator’s role is to work with people so that they have a grater undestanding or appreciation of their experiences.

„We acquire knowledge we learn by processing experienc e” John Dewey, 1965

Aims of education �The realization of learner’s full potential and the ability to use one’s skills for the greater good; �School should teach students how to solve problems and how to think rather than what to think; �School should teach students how to work cooperatively with others.

References: � http: //www. wilderdom. com/experiential/Experiential. De wey. html � http: //www. tandfonline. com/doi/abs/10. 1080/0260137 00293458 � http: //www. niu. edu/facdev/_pdf/guide/strategies/exper iential_learning. pdf � http: //education. stateuniversity. com/pages/1963/Expe riential-Education. html