Experiential Learning

Everyone has moments where they gain something through activities, not just by reading or writing. These moments often stay with us much longer than what we memorise in class. Even today, with all the focus on technology and new tools in education, one thing is clear—students learn best through real-life experiences. That’s the reason why many schools and colleges are now changing their lessons to include more experiential learning.

When students get the chance to explore what they have, it builds curiosity. They become more engaged and start to take responsibility for their study. This is because they realise their answers come from their involvement in the classroom. In this section, we’ll show how experiential learning is different from traditional teaching. You’ll learn what it means, the key pillars that support it, and how it helps students grow. You can certainly use this guide to discover a new way of studying—active, meaningful, and hands-on.

What is experiential learning? 

Experiential learning is a way of acquiring knowledge in which students learn by doing, experiencing, and reflecting on different situations rather than just through traditional classrooms and lectures. With this method, they have a chance to work on real projects, carry out different experiments, visit real locations to witness the problems and reflect on these experiences to better understand the different concepts. 

In regular classrooms, students usually compete with each other or lose interest during long lectures. However, studying with activities takes a different style. It helps students work together, share ideas, and gain knowledge from one another. This method is also more flexible than old teaching styles. It does not follow a strict routine that feels boring or pointless. Instead, it gives clear steps to help students move through tasks without stress. The goal is to make learning active and easy to follow.

Four important pillars of experiential learning 

Experiential learning can happen in any setting around us during our daily activities. However, it follows a specific structure to transform our experiences into long-lasting understanding and lessons throughout life. With time and practise, it becomes a part of how a student will feel, act, and think about any situation that comes across in life. 

These four pillars collaborate to change the learners' mindset. Instead of doing tasks, students begin to ask whether the task is relevant and how it will benefit them in the long run. Below, we describe the four key pillars for anyone interested in understanding this powerful studying method.

Concrete experience

Concrete experience occurs when the learner actually uses their sense and perception directly to engage in something that excites them. In other words, this is where their experiential learning begins, with direct and hands-on experience. However, the key to making the most out of a concrete experience is to actively participate and not just observe the task. 

Reflective observation

After having a concrete experience, this is the next stage of reflecting on that experience. Students take a moment to discuss what went well, different setbacks, how they were feeling during the experience, and whether there is any room for improvement. It encourages them to develop deep thinking skills and notice different patterns or any unusual reactions that they might have missed otherwise. 

Abstract conceptualisation

After reflecting, it is now time to think forward to make more sense of their experience and reflection. Students start thinking from a broader context and don’t confine their thoughts to an extent. They might draw their conclusions or develop new understandings from their experiential learning. 

Abstract experimentation 

During this, learners apply what they have learnt in the previous stages. However, they are free to approach the next task differently. In addition to that, they can try a new idea that works well for them. This learning method is all about testing how ideas work when used in different situations.

How to use experiential learning in the classroom?

You can use experiential learning in the classroom by designing lessons that get students engage in doing, thinking, and reflecting. You don’t need special tools, but only simple, hands-on activities that allow them to explore ideas on their own. When teachers give students space to try things and gain from experience, their understanding becomes deeper and more meaningful.

• Role-playing activities: Experiential learning helps them to get ready for actual situations by enacting roles that are relevant to their studying process. For instance, while playing a historic role, they get a sense of pride, bravery, and an understanding of ancient times. 
• Project-based learning: Learners will be working on real and long-term projects that require planning, problem-solving, and practical application of knowledge. They can be individual, a team project, or even different subjects. 
• Hands-on experiments: This method of experiential learning is mainly used for scientific and mathematical concepts. Students try to find out the relevance of different theories, formulas, and methods. This is to see whether they have any real-life relevance or not. 
• Field-based learning: When the students are taken outside of the classroom and exposed to different environments, it helps them change their overall perspective about hands-on learning. They start using their knowledge and connect it with real-life incidents. 
• Peer learning: Experiential learning is useful to develop a sense of confidence and accountability for learning amongst children. They tend to engage more with a concept when trusted to lead or explain it to their classmates.
• Reflection activities: After any kind of experience, it is best for students to pause and think back about what happened, what challenges they had to face, and how they can approach the same situation in a better way next time.