The Western Governor's University (2020) defines Experiential Learning simply as "learning by doing." David Kolb developed this learning theory through the teachings of Piaget, Dewey, and Lewin, all of whom are rockstar educational theorists (Western Governor's University, 2020). Learning about the Experiential Learning theory and the Maker Movement has enlightened me on the importance of learning through engaging, creating, and experiencing (see my blog post titled "Unschooling and the Maker Movement" to learn more). This type of envolvement in learning allows students to have ownership in what they're learning and gain a deeper understanding of the concepts they are studying.
At the root of my personal teaching philosophy is building connections with my students. That passion, however, does not stop there. I am extremely family-oriented, and believe my friends to be part of my family. I find comfort and contentment in the personal connections I make. While pondering my profession and my passion for building relationships, I asked myself:"How do I build connections that last?" and "What makes a deep personal connection or bond?"
This is where Experiential Learning comes in. The most important people in my life have experienced the most with me. Those experiences have bonded us together with a shared memory, be it good or bad. Could we use experiences to build deeper connections, just like we can use experiences to develop a deeper understanding of content? I believe so. I created a comic strip/photo collage to show snippets of connections being built through shared experiences. Click here to visit my comic strip/photo collage creation.
This is a screenshot of my creation on Canva.
Resources
‘Experiential Learning Theory’. Western Governors University, 8 June 2020,
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/experiential-learning-theory2006.html.
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