The Experiential Learning Cycle
In the mid 70's David Kolb formalised a highly effective way of
thinking about how we learn from experience. His ideas came from the
work of Kurt Lewin, a Gestalt Psychologist based in Berlin in the early
Twentieth Century. Kolb described the process of learning as a cycle
with four stages:
I.
|
Planning and preparing
Identifying a gap between our present state and our desired
state represents a need.
We plan some activity and identify the resources required to
meet that need.
We specify the criteria and evidence that will let us know it is
being met.
Kolb called this stage Active Experimentation |
II.
|
Action
We engage in the activity.
Kolb called this stage Concrete Experience |
III.
|
Reflection
We reflect on that experience and gather information
Kolb called this stage Reflective Observation |
IV.
|
Concluding
We begin to generalise and internalise what happened on that
experience.
We compare our present state and desired state using the
evidential criteria, and use these conclusions to carry on to a
further stage of preparing and planning.
Kolb called this stage Abstract Conceptualisation |
There are learning cycles within learning cycles, like a nest of
Russian dolls.
Source: Scaling the Heights
Original reference:
Kolb, D (1984) Experiential Learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice Hall
The Experiential Learning Cycle |
