Experiential Learning

In the 1980s, David A. Kolb conceptualized experiential learning theory as the process of learning by doing. Drawing upon the work of John Dewey (1938), Kurt Lewin (1951), and Jean Piaget (1978), experiential learning was initially theorized as a method of adaptation and development, and it has since become a highly regarded student learning theory. Highlighting how individuals most effectively learn through experience, experiential learning theory is well-known for its application to higher education teaching and learning and the facilitation of educational experiences both within and beyond the classroom. Experiential learning is considered the specific process by which a student acquires knowledge or meets learning goals through experience, whereas experiential education refers to the pedagogically grounded development and facilitation of the learning experience.

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