Experiential Learning Theory

Experiential Learning Theory

I ran across a well known learning theory called Experiential Learning Theory (ELT). David Kolb, the creator of ELT, is an organizational behavior professor and has extensively studied how people learn. 

There are four parts to ELT that form a learning cycle. 

1. Concrete Experience - in this stage, the learner actually has an experience where some learning is put into practice. 

2. Reflect Observation - in this stage, the learner is reflecting on what was learned in the experience. 

3. Abstract Conceptualization - in this stage, the learner is conceptualizing principles and ideas that can predict how his / her experience will go. 

4. Active Experimentation - in this stage, the learner takes the principles and concepts and puts them into practice. 

ELT is significant because it provides a practical and systematic approach to understand how individuals learn.  

Key takeaways I took out of studying this model: 

1. Learning is a non-linear process that involves experience, reflecting on the experience, creating principles and concepts from experience, and then experimenting with those principles and concepts. 

2. Different individuals may tend to find more value in different parts of the ELT cycle. The more you can learn about what part of the cycle you tend to learn more in, the more you can personalize your learning there. 

3. ELT is bridging the gap between “book learning” and “experiential learning.” You need both. They are part of a cycle of taking theory and putting it into practice (or the reverse, doing something in practice and then internalizing the theory). 

4. The cycle emphasis the importance of metacognition by including a reflection and observation step. All too often we go through life without thinking about what we’re learning. If we apply ELT, we’ll take a step back and appreciate the lessons the universe is teaching us. 

How does ELT impact learning at work? 

Most of us learn at work through experience. We can use the ideas in ELT to help us get more out of these experiences. 

For example, an area I want to improve on in the ELT cycle is Reflective Observation. I don’t spend much time thinking about what I’m learning each day. I go through the motions of the day to day. Some learning stick. Many don’t. 

What difference would it make if I took a few days each day to reflect on what I’m learning? 

I expect it’ll make a massive difference. I’ll internalize the lessons my career is teaching me each day. I’ll make the same mistakes less. I’ll build on learnings more.