Experiential learning in the Corporate World

What is experiential learning?

Learning things by experience is the basis for experiential learning. It focuses on learning by doing, provides an alternative to traditional learning models, and advocates for deep learning rather than surface learning.

Experiences stick to an individual’s mind, and it helps in retaining information and remembering facts. Experiential learning is much more than learning by doing. There is more to the process. Based on their experience, learners reflect on, learn from, and take new action based on experience.

David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

Kolb is an American educational theorist. Experiential learning is defined as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combination of grasping and transforming experience.”

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory

David Kolb published his work on experiential learning in 1984. He was influenced by great theorists like John Dewey, Kurt Lewin, and Jean Piget.

The Experiential learning theory has four stages:

1. Concrete learning

• Here, a learner gets a new experience.
• The learner interprets expertise in a new way.

2. Reflective observation

• The learner reflects on their experience personally.

3. Abstract conceptualization

• The learner forms new ideas or adjusts their thinking based on experience and reflection.

4. Active experimentation

• When learners understand a new idea, they apply it to the world around them.
• Thus, they can see if there is any modification to be made.

These four stages are divided into two. There are two different ways of grasping experience and transforming experience. They are:

1. Grasping experience:
   • Abstract Conceptualization
   • Concrete Experience
2. Transforming experience:
   • Active Experimentation
   • Reflective Observation

Our experiences shape us. Textbook learning cannot replace wisdom, clarity, and knowledge from experiences. Experiential Learning Theory ascertains this, which explains how the very principle of adult learning is to derive meaning from experiences.

The experiential learning styles

According to the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, there are nine ways to navigate the learning cycle.

1. Experiencing
2. Imagining
3. Reflecting
4. Analyzing
5. Thinking
6. Deciding
7. Acting
8. Initiating
9. Balancing

How to Design Experiential-based eLearning?

1. Go beyond with online simulations
2. Scenario-based learning creates opportunities for reflection
3. Shared learning with social learning
4. Exploring with gamification

1. Go Beyond with Online Simulations

• Adult learners use their senses to gather and process information to learn.
• They learn by “doing” things. eLearning simulations allow learners to experiment with situations similar to their natural work environment.
• Thus, the learners can apply their knowledge in situations and scenarios at the workplace.

2. Create Opportunities for Reflection 

• The learners will acquire specific knowledge and skills through the training they take.
• eLearning developers must emphasize the practical use of this knowledge and skills. Scenarios can be created to achieve this.
• Learners immerse in real-life situations when provided scenarios.
• Thus, they can evaluate their responses.
• Moreover, they can experience the consequences.

3. Shared Learning with Social Learning

• Social platforms are easy and accessible. They can be used for experiential learning.
• As Bersin by Deloitte says, “Organizations with at least 10,000 employees are spending more than three times on social learning tools than they did in the past two years”.
• When online, social learning allows employees to observe and share knowledge from others and with others. It enables continuous learning.
• This type of learning can happen through blogs, discussion forums, user-generated videos, podcasts, blogs, and more.

4. Exploring with Gamification

• Gamification in eLearning challenges learners precisely at the right points.
• They are motivated to explore.
• Learners take pleasure from overcoming obstacles.
• Moreover, they can move on to the next level of learning.

What are the benefits of experiential learning?

1. There is more space for creativity
2. The learner can learn from mistakes
3. It encourages the learner to reflect and introspect
4. Learners can quickly grasp complex concepts
5. It prepares the learner for future experiences
6. It improves attitudes toward learning

Examples of Experiential Learning

• It is not identical to hands-on learning and apprenticeship.
• Its purpose is not simply to learn a skill through practice.
• Experiential learning is also to think critically about the practice and improve upon it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Experiential Learning

• Adult learners have experience and cognitive ability. They can reflect, develop new ideas, and take positive action.
• Adults have real-world experience. They want to implement their new skills.
• Experiential learning has specific limits.
• Though it is useful when the content is in the real world, it isn’t easy to provide this learning in literature, history, or philosophy.
• A training program becomes successful when adults learn new information and later apply it in their job.

Implementing Experiential Learning In The Corporate World

Experiential learning provides an opportunity for employees to learn from experience.

They can gain valuable skills that benefit them as they work.

1. Make learning fun
   • Create an immersive learning environment.
   • This would help the learners to both absorb and retain information.
2. Build The Experience In-House
   • Organizations spend on experiential learning courses from external sources.
   • At the same time, they can also build it in-house. Thus, the program is based on the needs of the organization.
3. Use Another Team’s Challenges
   • You can take real-life scenarios and role-play them.
   • Ask your employees what they would do when challenging situations come up.
4. Make it a part of the Company Culture
   • Encourage experiential learning as part of the company culture.
   • It is one of the best ways to implement experiential learning.
5. Try Real-World And Role-Specific Simulations
   • Implement it through simulations from real-world business problems employees face in their specific roles.
6. Incorporate Experiential Activities

• Analyze learner population and determine their needs.
• Think of problems to be solved rather.
• Identify appropriate activities for your learners and course content.

Implementing experiential activities at the workplace and making experiential learning culture can help your organization and employees.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you incorporate experiential learning in the workplace?

Here are a few strategies to incorporate experiential learning in your workplace:

• Enhancing VILT with experiential learning
• Game-based Learning
• Start using Immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and more.
• Scenario-based learning for case studies, role-play
• On-the-job training
• Blended Learning
• Social Learning

Why is experiential learning important in an organization?

Experiential learning is important in an organization because:

• It teaches what is required for real-world success.
• It is easily adaptive.
• It is cost-effective.
• It is efficient.
• It motivates.
• It produces self-directed learners.
• It inspires engagement.
• It supports diversity.

Why is experiential learning the future of learning?

Experiential learning is personal and practical, influencing feelings and emotions and enhancing knowledge and skills. It is beyond classroom learning. The following are the reasons why experiential learning is the future of learning:

• It accelerates learning
• It provides a safe learning environment
• It produces mindset changes
• It increases engagement levels
• It delivers a return on investment
• It gives accurate assessment results
• It enables personalized learning

What are the advantages of experiential learning?

The following are the advantages of experiential learning:

• It creates real-world relevance.
• It provides an opportunity for creativity.
• It offers an opportunity for reflection.
• It teaches the value of mistakes.
• It accelerates learning.
• It guides students toward the future.