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Experiential Learning
Main Feature
Like learning
to ride a bike
While some might rubbish experiential
learning as mere fun ‘n’ games, others believe
that there is real value in such techniques.
Anita Peach cycles the road of experience
and rediscovers a childhood learning technique
H
ow do you fancy building a robot, theoretical concepts facilitated through a live
cooking a swanky meal, singing activity” to aid participants’ learning. The
with a choir or dabbling in a little cooking and learning concept is itself proving
bellringing? How about an historical battle to be very popular.
re-enactment, footie at the Old Trafford
ground, becoming a stuntman for the day These new courses still come under the
or a spot of skydiving? The possibilities umbrella of traditional ExL, in terms of
seem endless, and today the craze to find participating in an activity. However, there
ever more unique experiential learning (ExL) are more modern trends like web 2.0,
courses has reached new heights, with serious gaming and business simulations
courses based on almost every facet of life. hitting the ExL field, widening the breadth
of tools available, giving learners more
This latest session from ExL provider The choice and further proving that ExL is a
MotivAction Group really tickled my fancy: valid and credible learning style. But do
‘Only Fools Buy Horses’, based on the serious games stand up as a serious ExL
television programme of a similar name, contender? Do they showcase similar traits
claims to give the participant “a chance to other ExL tools? And can a participant
to step into the shoes of Del Boy, Rodney learn more from a simulated experience
or Boycie, and embark on an adventure of rather than a real-life experience?
dodgy deals and slapdash profit chasing.”
It certainly sounds like a real treat for “We offer some rather crazy courses,”
any adult, but is there really any valuable admits Adrian Price, Director of Leadership
learning involved in such frivolity? Programmes at The MotivAction Group.
“Out of context they may be seen as a
Learning through experience in a more waste of money but when you look at the
engaging and creative setting outside the learning skills and outcomes, the activity
work environment has proved popular is no longer important.” Surely then,
throughout the learning industry. Chief traditional forms of ExL and simulations
Learning Officer magazine in the USA can both have a place in the ExL arena?
reported on “the rise of experiential
learning” claiming that ExL is one of Learning outcomes
the “most powerful learning tools with Let us take a step back for a moment
potentially the highest return on investment” to gain an understanding of what ExL
(October 2006). A very brazen statement, actually means. We understand and learn
yet further proof of ExL’s growing popularity. from our experiences in life. Around 450
Robinne Collie, Managing Director at BC Confucius wrote: “Tell me, and I will
Food@Work, has seen the business “grow forget. Show me, and I may remember.
tremendously in the last six years.” Its Involve me, and I will understand.” The
‘Gourmet Challenge’ is a “combination of main concept of experiential
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Learning Magazine
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