1. By: Farrah, Blaire, and Tawny

2. ORIGINATOR OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
THEORY
 David A. Kolb gets the  David A. Kolb (1939-
credit for being the present)
creator of this theory,
but he was assisted by
Ron Fry.
 The Experiential
Learning Theory
emphasizes the ideas
of John Dewey, Jean
Piaget, and Kurt Lewin.
www.web.cortland.edu/andersmd/learning/Kolb_files/image002.jpg

3. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING(KOLB)
Kolb’s experiential learning style theory works
on two different levels: a four stage cycle of
learning and four separate learning styles.
The theory is concerned about the learner’s
internal cognitive progresses.
“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is
created through the transformation of
experience” (David A. Kolb, 1984).

4. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING(KOLB)
 Kolb’s four stage learning cycle:
1. Concrete Experience- “DO”(a new experience in a
situation is encountered, or a reinterpretation of an
existing experience)
2. Reflective Observation- “OBSERVE” (inconsistencies
between experience and understanding )
3. Abstract Conceptualization- “THINK” (reflection
gives rise to a new idea, or a modification of an
existing abstract concept)
4. Active Experimentation- “PLAN” (the learner applies
them to the world around them to see what results)

5. KOLB’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CYCLE
www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html

6. LEARNING ST YLES DESCRIPTIONS
 Assimilators- Students who learn best when
material is presented in a lecture.
 Divergers- Students who learn best when they
brainstorm and they prefer to work in groups.
 Convergers- Students who learn best when
experimenting with new ideas.
 Accommodators Students who learn best while
working “hands on”.

7. LEARNING ST YLES CYCLE
www.tsegaygirmay.com/2010/09/15/teaching-and-learning-in-higher-education-workshop-in-bahir-dar-university/

8. KOLB’S THEORY IN THE CLASSROOM:
TEACHER USE
 Without Technology:
 A teacher can determine which of the 4 learning styles each student falls
under
 Teachers can use hands on exercises such as a lab experiment to put
concrete experiences into use
 After concrete comes reflective, teachers can assign a written
assignment or a group discussion reflecting on what was performed
 Teachers can organize an abstract group discussion where students
theorize about the assignment and the outcomes of it
 Following abstract thinking, teachers can have students develop an
active plan to test their theories, which leads back to concrete
Experiences.

9. KOLB’S THEORY IN THE CLASSROOM:
TEACHER USE
 With Technology:
 Teachers can use the theory of concrete experiences by having the
students play computer role-playing games
 Next is the reflective theory, teachers could have students reflect on
their experiences virtually with other students who have completed
the same exercise
 For the abstract theory, teachers can have the students play a
simulation computer game
 Similar to abstract, the teacher can have to students play a computer
game to help them develop a plan for active experimentation

10. KOLB’S THEORY IN THE CLASSROOM:
STUDENT USE
 Without Technology:
 Students can participate in hands on experiments
 Students can also complete written assignments to reflect on
concrete experiments
 Students can participate in group discussions to use abstract theory
 With Technology:
 Students can participate in simulated computer games to understand
abstract theory
 Students can also use virtual chat rooms to use and understand the
reflective process

11. KOLB’S THEORY IN THE CLASSROOM:
PERSONAL USE
 This theory would be very beneficial for personal teaching in
the future
 It could be helpful in determining which way to teach students
because you can figure out their learning style
 Also gives a basis of four steps to take when teaching
students a new topic or new project
 Kolb’s theory is very helpful and should be used in each
classroom and will be incorporated into mine

12. SOURCES
 http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-
kolb.html
 www.web.cortland.edu/andersmd/learning/Kolb_files/image0
02.jpg
 www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html
 www.tsegaygirmay.com/2010/09/15/teaching -and-learning-
in-higher-education-workshop-in-bahir-dar-university/