Drawing from the intellectual origins of experiential learning in the works of John Dewey, Kurt Lewin, and Jean Piaget, this comprehensive and systematic book describes the process of experiential learning. The author proposes a model of the underlying structures of the learning process based on research in psychology, philosophy, and physiology, and bases its typology of individual learning styles and corresponding structures of knowledge in different academic disciplines and careers on this structural model. He also applies experiential learning to higher education and lifelong learning, particularly with regard to adult education.
Kolb's "Experiential Learning" is a masterpiece. In it, he deftly synthesizes the strands of learning theory and psychological research that inform his 4 stage learning cycle. All committed "experiential educators" should consult this book in order more deeply to understand the deep and rich conceptual foundation(s) of our potent pedagogical practice. In his "Foreword" to the volume, Leadership guru Warren Bennis positively hyperventilates in applauding Kolb's achievement in this work. And for good reason! From thence comes Kolb's elegant & powerful "Learning Styles Inventory" (or LSI), among other things. Even if you're a cynic or skeptic re: the merit of experiential education, you would do well to peruse this tour-de-force in order better to appreciate what you may be missing.
Not everyone is interested in a referenced text. This is not your sit down and breeze through popular book on a topic. However, if you are interested in understanding the foundation of the field of learning through experience, you absolutely must read, no study, this reference. For those of us who are practitioners, understanding theory is critical and this reference provides the foundation for much of the current work in the learning field. I highly recommend. This book will not go out of date as experiential strategies are not a fade and will not go out of style.
When one encounters the word " dialectic" while reading academic texts it should be as a clear signal as a fire to forest ranger that trouble is on the horizon. This statement may be a bit of an exaggeration but it would definitely be accurate to say that Kolb's Experiential Learning is no easy read. Of course, this does not diminish the value of the book, in spite of difficult passages.
Ironically, this is the essence of the concept of "dialectic". Liberal doses of psychology are ladled throughout the book as the masters (Piaget, Jung, et. al) are consistently consulted to back up theory. Although not professing to have knowledge about psychology, it is clear that their work is essential to establish the interrelationship between cognition and experiential learning. Theory of learning and the opposing learning styles of apprehension and comprehension are explored. This book is clearly the cure for a stubborn case of insomnia.
I can't say that the book is without merit, however, because it held some great information that will be useful now and in future applications when I have the chance to practice my current endeavors. Some passages even caused a sense of anticipation for the succeeding ones because there was a considerable amount of interesting information that I had not yet pondered. I would compare this book to putting molasses on pancakes on a winter day. It is thick and doesn't go down easily but great once you warm up to it.
This book is fantastic. It helps explain in detail the Why, What, How, and What if... If you are a leader and want to communicate better in presentations, negotiations, and team meetings. It is a great book on how people experience the world and internalise it. Another great read that uses examples to explain the theory is 'The Art of Changing the Brain' by J. Zull.
Product Details :
- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (October 11, 1983)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0132952610
- ISBN-13: 978-0132952613
- Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
More Details about Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development, 1st Edition
No comments:
Post a Comment