How to incorporate Experiential Learning in your teaching?
Experiential Learning is learning by doing. Educators engage with learners their direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills and clarify values.
Why is Experiential Learning useful?
'Nothing beats some hands on experience' applies here. Putting students in situations to build real world experiences, students are able to put their learnings into practice. Experiential Learning encourages students to make discoveries and experiment with knowledge themselves.
3 Different Prominent Learning Styles.
a) Visual learning is a proven teaching method in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and represented graphically. Graphic organizers, concept maps and idea maps, and plans, are some of the techniques used in visual learning to enhance thinking and learning skills.
b) Auditory learning is a style of learning in which a person learns most effectively by listening to information delivered orally, in lectures, speeches, and oral sessions. Auditory learners make up about 30% of the population. Studies indicate that when an auditory/verbal (i.e. listening to information delivered orally) learners read, it is almost impossible for the learner to comprehend anything without sound in the background. In these situations, listening to music while learning is beneficial.
c) Kinesthetic learning is a teaching and learning style in which learning takes place carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration. Students with this predominant learning style are natural discovery learners; they have realizations through doing,
How could I incorporate Experiential Learning in the classroom?
How best to incorporate this learning style in your own classroom. In the beginning stages of Experiential Learning, and depending on the age of your student, it is perhaps best to use things such as role plays, games and simulations of real life situations, anything that will bring subject out of the text book and into the 'real world' of your students. It may require you, as the teacher, to rethink the way you lead your class, leading to a more dynamic learning environment.
If students are a little older, Experiential Learning can move out of the classroom. Example like field trips, hand-on session, life experience, keep it interesting, do keep in grounded in the subject your leading.
What are the benefits of Experiential Learning?
Experiential Learning encourages students to think more freely about how their actions and knowledge can impact upon real world scenarios.
It forces you, as a teacher to become more dynamic and active, in effect, learn with your students, reviewing what works and what doesn't, and continuous improving oneself. It helps prevent your teaching style from growing stale.
About the Author
Ng Shao Fei is a Chinese teacher and an expert in teaching Chinese Language, to get more tips in learning Chinese and a free gift,please click here====> www.fayfuncardgame.com
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