David Kolb - Experiental Learning

Background

David A. Kolb is an American researcher who studies learning methods, especially the connection between learning, work and how new knowledge is created. He is also the author of theories about learning styles.

In 1984, David A. Kolb published his book "Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development". In it, he explains that a person can only achieve learning through discovery and experience. 

When we learn new things, a lot of things happen in our heads. A lot of processes that are not visible and that can be difficult to get a handle on. As a leader and teacher, it is good to know a little about what these processes are about. So we can reach everyone with our messages. For you as a leader, it is important to know that we all learn in different ways. Learning according to David Kolb.

Experiential learning

David Kolb has put these processes into words in what he calls experiential learning. It is learning that is about the experiences we carry with us throughout life and the process that learning is for you and me. Kolb has set up his theory in a circle – it is called Kolb's learning circle. His learning theory addresses the contradiction that, on the one hand, one must learn abstract concepts and, on the other, take as a starting point the learner's experiences.

We each have our preferred way of learning. Our individual learning style is shaped by the experiences we have had with learning in the past. This applies both to studies and to the workplace. Since learning is an ongoing process, our preferred learning method will change continuously.

Learning is a process

In Kolb's universe, learning is characterized by, among other things: Learning is a process; not a result.

Learning is a coherent process – based on experience - Learning occurs in the field between expectation and experience. Learning is a kind of 're-learning'

Learning involves exchange between person and environment -Learning is a process that develops cognition

When you think “aha” – learning happens to you.

Kolb’s learning circle

Kolb divides the learning process into 4 phases, which we see here. 

It’s about:

• Concrete Experience (doing)
• Reflective Observation (reflecting on what was done)
• Abstract Conceptualization (developing theories and ideas)
• Active Experimentation (applying new ideas to situations)

Experience

The first phase is the concrete experience. You observe what is happening. It can be something that is discussed in a meeting, a theoretical review or something that happens. It is a concrete experience that is new.

Reflection 

Based on what happened in experience - and based on your observations, in the next phase you reflect on what happened and why it happened. You try to make it make sense based on your reflections. 

Conceptualization

In the third step we have the concept formation phase. Here - you try to use what you have experienced and observed to derive rules or logical theories.

Activities

In the last phase - you are now - based on your new knowledge - ready to carry out new experiments and new actions. What can you use what you have learned for? -

You do not necessarily go through the whole circle every time. It can also happen that you go back and forth a little between reflection and concept formation. According to Kolb, learning is a cyclical process, and when you get through all 4 phases of the circle, you have a learning process that builds a bridge between theory and practice.

Sometimes new learning means that you have to reject previous learning. Hence the concept of "re-learning".

You do not necessarily go through the whole circle every time. It can also happen that you go back and forth a little between reflection and concept formation. According to Kolb, learning is a cyclical process, and when you get through all 4 phases of the circle, you have a learning process that builds a bridge between theory and practice.

Sometimes new learning means that you have to reject previous learning. Hence the concept of "re-learning".

You don't necessarily go through the whole circle every time. It can also happen that you go back and forth between reflection and conceptualization. According to Kolb, learning is a cyclical process, and when you go through all 4 phases of the circle, you have a learning process that builds a bridge between theory and practice.

Sometimes new learning means that you have to reject previous learning. Hence the concept of "re-learning".