Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory #
“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”
The east-west axis is called the Processing Continuum (how we approach a task; doing or watching)
The north-south axis is called the Perception Continuum (our emotional response; thinking or feeling).
Kolb believed that we cannot perform both variables on a single axis at the same time (e.g., think and feel).
Our learning style is a product of these two choice decisions.
The Experiential Learning Cycle
- Concrete Experience (Feel)
- Reflective Observation (Watch)
- Abstract Conceptualisation (Think)
- Active Experimentation (Do)
A new experience or situation is encountered, or a reinterpretation of existing experience occurs.
Reflecting on new experience is of particular importance as there maybe any inconsistencies between experience and understanding.
Reflection gives rise to a new idea, or a modification of an existing abstract concept occurs.
The learner applies the new idea to the world around them to see what results.
Honey & Mumford's / Kolb's
Learning Styles
Assimilating Theorists
(Think & Watch)
Experiential:
Involving or based on experience and observation.
Diverging Reflectors
(Feel & Watch)
Accommodating Activists
(Feel & Do)
Converging Pragmatists
(Think & Do)
They prefer to watch rather than do, tending to gather information and use imagination to solve problems.
These people require good clear explanation rather than a practical opportunity.
People with a converging learning style are best at finding practical uses for ideas and theories.
The Accommodating learning style is 'hands-on,' and relies on intuition rather than logic.
They are attracted to new challenges and experiences, and to carrying out plans.
They commonly act on 'gut' instinct rather than logical analysis.
People with an accommodating learning style will tend to rely on others for information than carry out their own analysis.
They can solve problems and make decisions by finding solutions to questions and problems.
People with a converging learning style are more attracted to technical tasks and problems than social or interpersonal issues.
People with a converging style like to experiment with new ideas, to simulate, and to work with practical applications.
They are best at viewing concrete situations from several different viewpoints.
Kolb called this style 'diverging' because these people perform better in situations that require ideas - generation, for example, brainstorming.
People with the diverging style prefer to work in groups, to listen with an open mind and to receive personal feedback.
They excel at understanding wide-ranging information and organising it in a clear, logical format.
People with this style are more attracted to logically sound theories than approaches based on practical value.
People with this style prefer readings, lectures, exploring analytical models, and having time to think things through.
Concrete Experience (Feeling)
Active Experimentation (Doing)
Reflective Observation (Watching)
Abstract Conceptualization (Thinking)
Accommodating (Feel & Do, CE/AE)
Diverging (Feel & Watch, CE/RO)
Converging (Think & Do, AC/AE)
Assimilating (Think & Watch, AC/RO)
Mnemonic: C.R.A.2