What is Experiential Learning?  In 1984 Professor David Kolb defined it as ‘Experience as the Source of Learning and Development’.  Since his book was first published, his ideas have had a dramatic impact on the design and development of lifelong learning models.  Of course, David Kolb’s work can be traced back to that famous dictum of Confucius around 450 BC:

‘Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.’

Experiential learning focuses on the learning process for the individual.  An example of experiential learning is going to the zoo and learning through observation and interaction with the zoo environment, as opposed to reading about animals from a book. The participant makes discoveries and experiments with knowledge firsthand, instead of hearing or reading about other peoples experiences.

Though the gaining of knowledge is an inherent process that occurs naturally, for a genuine learning experience to occur, there must be certain elements.  According to Professor Kolb, knowledge is continuously gained through both personal and environmental experiences.  He states that in order to gain genuine knowledge from an experience, certain abilities are required:

• the learner must be willing to be actively involved in the experience
• the learner must be able to reflect on the experience
• the learner must possess and use analytical skills to conceptualize the experience, and
• the learner must possess decision making and problem solving skills in order to use the new ideas gained from the experience.

The use of experiential learning will engage the learner at a more personal level by addressing the needs and wants of the individual.  Experiential learning requires qualities such as self-initiative and self-evaluation. For experiential learning to be truly effective, it should employ the whole learning wheel, from goal setting, to experimenting and observing, to reviewing, and finally action planning.  This complete process allows one to learn new skills, new attitudes or even entirely new ways of thinking.

Remember the games we used to play when we were kids?  Simple games, such as hopscotch, can teach many valuable skills, like team management, communication, and leadership.  The reason why games are popular as experiential learning techniques is because of the “fun factor” - learning through fun helps the learner to retain the lessons for a longer period.

So how do we engage with the motivated and willing participant through experiential learning and ensure that we employ the whole learning wheel?  Using the ‘games’ theory as a basis, the recent development of interactive computer based business simulations has provided the training environment with an effective ‘Experiential Learning’ tool and satisfies the criteria laid down by Professor Kolb.

These simulations challenge participants to make decisions on realistic situations they are likely to face in their personal roles.  In a group environment, participants will debate each decision and reach consensus on the best option, reflecting on the decisions they have made and their consequences; this debate is a highly effective step in the learning process.  Effective scoring enables the trainer and participant to identify those areas that need to be improved.

So, what are the benefits for the participant?

• participants can practise and embed key communication skills in a ‘safe’ simulation environment and develop critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills
• participants will learn from their active involvement in the experience; receiving comprehensive feedback through the simulation and reflect on their decisions and see the impact of good and bad decisions
• in the group environment they will gain new knowledge from their peers and the trainer - in a highly compelling, competitive environment.

This process will lead to improved self-confidence, knowledge, skills and behaviours - and even change thinking!

Most trainers will appreciate the important role experience plays in the learning process and with interactive computer based simulations you can create a fun learning environment that encourages the individual to be directly involved in the experience.  This vital ingredient will ensure that they gain a better understanding of the new knowledge and retain the information for a longer time.

Aristotle once said, ‘For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.’

If Confucius, Aristotle and Professor Kolb believe in it, how can you ignore it?