References

Boud, D., Cohen, R., Walker, D. (1993). Using Experience for learning. Open University Press.

Some activities

Farm excursions for kindergarten Service learning in primary school Adventure programs Team building tasks Science inclusion in daily work Inquiry projects Collaborative tasks

Briers, G. (2005). Lighting Their Fires Through Experiential Learning. The Agricultural Education Magazine. (78)3. Estes, C. (2004). Promoting Student-Centered Learning in Experiential Education. The Journal of Experiential Education. (27).2.\ Ives, B. & Obenchain, K. (2006). Experiential Education in the Classroom and Academic Outcomes: For Those Who Want It All. The Journal of Experiential Education. (29). 1. Kolb, D.A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Moon, J. (2004). A handbook of reflective and experiential learning theory and practice. Routledge Falmer. United Kingdom. Moore, D. (2004). Experiential Learning Builds Competence. Leadership for Student Activities. (32). 9 Russo D. (2013). Week 1 Lecture. 4094EDN curriculum development. Logan Campus. Griffith University. Wurdinger, S. (2005). Using Experiential Learning n the classroom: practical Ideas for all educators. Scarecrow Education. USA.

Experiential Learning

A strategic teaching tool

Learning is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire (Yeats 1923)

Site links
Association for Experiential Learning http://www.aee.org/ National Society for Experiential Learning http://www.nsee.org/ Learn and Serve Australia http://lasa.org.au/

Prepared by: Kathryn Avery S2559014 4094EDN Sem. 1 2013 Griffith University

What is the value of EL ?

EL develops real life connections to life outside the classroom enabling children to understand their own influence over their world and view themselves as active contributors to society Motivation can be intrinsic as students are the centre of learning not the teacher. Self autonomous learners. Improved higher order thinking skills - through reflection and metacognition. Learning is contextualised and has more meaning for the student. Skills and goals of learning are understood. Learning is collaborative process- social construction with peers and teacher source: Moore (2004), Ives & Obenchain (2006), Briers (2005), Estes (2004)

Key considerations

What is Experiential Learning?

" A process through which a learner constructs knowledge, skill and values from direct experience"
Association for Experiential Education (1999) Experiential Learning theory recognizes the importance of active, reflective and meaningful connections to learning. Reflection of experience is vital for knowledge to be created and usable. Real life experience is important for students to connect to learning. Such as simulations, games, outdoor education, service learning, projects, inquiry learning. Students need to understand the relevance of the experience for learning to be meaningful and effective. Our personal lenses through which we view the world affect our experiences and hence our learning. Sources: Wurdinger ( 2005), Boud, Cohen and Walker (1985), Moon (2004)

Ensure students understand the relevance and meaning to their learning experiences. The experiences need to be student led not teacher, depending on the age group, younger students need more direction. The level of complexity of the learning needs to align with students capabilities and ZPD. Experiences need to build on prior knowledge. Students need to have independent learning skills to effectively reflect and concept build after experiences. Scaffolding needs to be non biased. The focus of EL needs to align with curriculum documents, the teacher needs to ensure this occurs. The process of learning is highly valued and imperative to effective learning and assessment. The product of the experience focuses on reflection and reframing knowledge. Teachers need to consider their own personal philosophies in regard to this when applying EL to their pedagogies.
Sources: Kolb (1984), Ives and Obenchain (2006), Estes (2004), Russo (2013), Wurdinger (2005)