16 Jan 3 Reasons Why Experiential Learning Should Be Part Of The Curriculum
Educational institutions do a great job of teaching facts and figures, but many students don’t get the chance to put that knowledge into action. Rather than requiring them to demonstrate their skills or complete a meaningful task, learners typically prove their competency by answering test questions correctly.
While content knowledge serves an important purpose, paper-based assessments can’t replicate the immersive nature of experiential learning. This concept, which educational theorist David Kolb describes as “a process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience,” is gaining popularity among educators. Experiential learning warrants a place in every institution’s curriculum for three key reasons.
It Puts Theory Into Practice
The ability to recall a theory or concept matters, but it means little if students can’t do anything with that information. Participating in an experiential activity teaches learners how to gather relevant data, analyze it critically, and apply their knowledge to a specific situation. And by immersing them in realistic learning environments, students get real-world experience in areas that interest them.
It Simplifies Assessment
Experiential activities takes the guesswork out of assessment because students have no way to cover up holes in their understanding. With a test, instructors don’t always have insight into what students are thinking, so they can’t measure their comprehension beyond the right or wrong answer. During a hands-on learning experience, instructors can more authentically assess student comprehension because they have the opportunity to see how learners approach a problem, identify where things went right or wrong, and adjust their future teachings accordingly.
It Involves Reflection
Giving students a realistic, hands-on experience is often the focus of experiential learning, but reflection is arguably the most important part of this process. In order for learners to make meaningful connections to the content and develop a deeper understanding of it, instructors need to give them time and space to reflect on their experience. This period helps students take more control over their learning.
YouSeeU’s proprietary video technology helps instructors create experiential learning exercises involving real-world practice and self-assessment. To learn more about how to leverage our video software for experiential learning, visit YouSeeU’s website.