Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a dynamic and student-centered approach to education characterized by learning through direct experience and critical reflection. Unlike traditional, didactic teaching methods that prioritize the passive absorption of information, experiential learning places the learner at the center of the educational process, engaging them in activities such as experiments, simulations, internships, service learning, and fieldwork. The concept was popularized by David A. Kolb in the 1980s, whose experiential learning model emphasizes a recurring cycle of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Through this iterative process, learners not only acquire knowledge but also apply and adapt it to new situations, leading to a deeper understanding and greater retention. At the core of experiential learning is the idea that meaningful learning arises from reflection on doing, rather than from rote memorization or passive listening. For example, in a chemistry laboratory, students actively conduct experiments, observe outcomes, and analyze discrepancies between their predictions and actual results. […]