Article [6] Experiential Learning Theory Kolb's Developed

 

Introduction

 

In the name where it underlines experiential learning involves the transformation of experience into effective learning. Kolb’s experiential learning theory points out how our experiences, including our thoughts, emotions and environment, impact the learning process (Dantas, L.A. and Cunha, A., 2020).

 

Kolb’s theory defines experiential learning as a four-stage process: 

 

1.       Concrete learning In this stage the employee moves towards a sole performance as he intends to do things on his own. An employee rather working on the theoretical application he will tend to move ahead and would like to work on the inner feelings of his own to do certain task.

 

2.       Reflective observation Now the employee sees other opinion and views and starts for listening to others voice. As an example an employee working in a Container yard might have a second option and listen to others in the yard when operating during a crisis hit time to efficiently operate and provide the function rather taking things on his own ways.

 

3.       Abstract conceptualization –Moving towards the ladder the employee now finds it easy to justify and do things based on previous knowledge, expert theory and application, systematic approach or logical approach. Example can be provided based on a previous experience of a cargo that had been shipped on a vessel and due to an unforeseen reason in which there was a fire accident had occurred. Whereas the same cargo be shipped rather having the inner feelings and personal feelings of same incident to happen, but to justify the same by giving a logical explanation for the previous incident.

 

4.       Active experimentation – Real world application will be applied rather than using theories into approach. Theoretical can help for a certain level but practical applications vary from the theoretical approach. example: It is true that ammunition cannot be shipped on airfreight due to the air pressurization. But if the cargo is being packed with de-pressurization packing material which might be a bit costly but an efficient method then the same cargo can be shipped on air craft as well. Though it is not on theoretical view but on practical application it can be done.  

 

The Importance of Preferences in David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

 

Kolb’s model is an experiential learning cycle. In such case the employee can get through the learning cycle through any stage of the cycle. For example, Lets say an employee joining a shipping agent as a shipping operation staff member. His working methods is based on the knowledge he learned from a professional institute and performs his duties, Another employee does the same work who had been working already in the organization but not having followed any professional course but have the years of experience and will to do of his own feelings and does his job. Another employee might come all the way as fresh school leaver and learns the job and the field by working along with the staffs and outperform in the organization (Ata, R. and Cevik, M., 2019).

 

Hopkins, (1993) had quoted based on Kolb theory that employee have their own preferences for how they enter the experiential learning cycle. “Because of our hereditary equipment, our particular past life experiences, and the demands of our environment, we develop a preferred way of choosing,” Kolb Says.

 

Kolb’s learning styles model

 

These preferences are the basis of Kolb’s learning styles model, which divides learners into four types based on their dominant learning style (Dantas, L.A. and Cunha, A., 2020).

                                                                                  

Kolb’s learning styles are:

 

·         Diverging – In this learning style, learners focus on concrete experience and reflective observation. They prefer to watch and reflect on what they’ve observed before jumping in. 

·         Assimilating – This learning style incorporates learners who favour abstract conceptualization and reflective observation. They like using analytical models to explore and prefer concepts and abstract ideas.

·         Converging – Learners using this learning style focus on abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. They like to solve problems and enjoy applying learning to practical issues.

·         Accommodating – Learners using this learning style favour concrete experience and active experimentation. They relish a challenge and using intuition to solve problems. 

 

 

How Can Experiential Learning Benefits Employees?

 

Experiential learning has many benefits for employees (Ghosh, B. and Roy, J., 2019):

 

·         The chance to immediately apply the learning process to real-world applications, which supports  
     knowledge retention and get on a positive attitude towards the working conditions.

·         Improved motivation, as employees are more excited on enriching their knowledge in new area’s regarding
     learning in real-world situations

·         Promotion of learning through reflection, which deepens and strengthens the learning  experience

·         The chances to make good use of their preferred style of learning

·         Enhanced teamwork because experiential learning often involves working as part of a team

·         The opportunity to prepare for future work through genuine, meaningful real-world practice

 

How Can Experiential Learning Benefit Employers

 

 

·         Creates real-world experiences

 

The present world which now we are living is more advanced as well as the employees who are working as well. They need more material and resources to enhance their knowledge and understand the real world. Experiential learning takes data and concepts and uses them in hands-on tasks, yielding real results. When the real life incidents and case studies are being used for learning purposes, it provides a real experience that helps them to grasp it more easily along with keeping it in mind for a long time.

 

·         Open more opportunities for creativity 

 

In this fast world, problems can occur at any time, but having a tech hand we have multiple solutions for each problem. Experiential learning enables employees to engage the creative portions of their brains and uses their creative solutions to problems. This problem-solving and innovative way of learning results in a variety of positive outcomes enriching the employee’s success as a whole along with bringing overall success for them.

 

·         Accelerates learning 

 

Learning by implementing the same learning point gives a more lasting effect than theoretical learning. Further, experiential learning in professional studies related to industry also allows employees to develop multiple skills such as problem-solving and effective decision-making at the same time. Also the organization can create and give access to certain new type of systems and models to have a new and fresh mind to hands on the system give a new try. By doing so the employee can extend their view and knowledge further as well as they can extend on their performance more efficiently.

 

·         Integration of theory and practice 

 

Integration and merger of theory and practice open new opportunities for employee to learn and apply in the field to understand the real effects and behavior. It also helps in remembering concepts and ideas for a longer period.

 

 

 

·         Helps in learning mistakes

 

Experiential learning includes hands of errors, as employees handle tasks and situations given to them, they may make mistakes and find various approaches to work better each time. While employees discard methods that don’t work, the act of trying something new and then abandoning it becomes a valuable part of the learning process. Employees learn not to fear mistakes, but to benefit from, and remember them.

 

·         Guides students toward the future

 

Experiential learning encourages employees to be professional as it involves learning with real-world activities and experiences. Through these activities, employees can start to develop and discover these interests, skills, aptitudes, and passions. This method of learning is more often self-discovery than any other form of learning, it brings a more clear path and gives more options and new areas of opening which they have not accessed yet.

 

·         Promotion of communication skills

 

Through experiential learning, you can bridge the gap in communication as it involves teamwork. Teamwork initiates learning and practicing together promoting communication skills.

 

·         Accomplishments are obvious 

 

Learners find ways to improve their knowledge, in as little as an hour because of the feedback loop created by problem-solving, feedback, and practicing again. Having online tools and technologies, employees more often can learn by having new paths and success instead of a simple classroom learning session.

 

Application in Logistics Industry

 

Ship Workers: Those who work in vessels should learn the theory part before joining the job. Once they are joined and start working they have to learn from on the job training that they will not be told taught as training but they have to grasp knowledge. Also the latest technical updates that come to the shipping, vessels, maritime law changes, Situational change and getting the required update and changing to them should require divergent learning style.

 

Custom House Agents: They are the ones who need to be on the vigilant for any change that comes. As the change and update in their field is very quick and if not being up to date then it might have a great risk of losing job and business. Most of the CHA gets a certification in order to get the job. After joining only they get the job related training and slowly gets the necessary training while on going the work. Also any policy change or government sanction and implementation might have a realistic change that had to be kept update.

 

 

 

Kolb’s experiential learning cycle presents a comprehensive framework for understanding the process of learning from experience. Its stages of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation offer a roadmap for personal and professional development.

 

Though the theory might be old fashioned and not may be suitable for the latest world we live, yet the limitations and critiques, the cycle remains a valuable tool in various fields such as education, business training, and personal growth. As theory on learning and development it has served on providing the insight the theory that needs to support in employee learning and development (Olanipekun, T., et al.,2020).

 

Furthermore, Kolb's learning style is a valuable tool for understanding how people learn. Taking a look at the theory as an application part can help on finding and understanding that the learners of the theory can become effective and efficient employees.

 

 

Reference

 

Ata, R. and Cevik, M., 2019. Exploring relationships between Kolb’s learning styles and mobile learning readinessof pre-service teachers: A mixed study. Education and information technologies, 24(2), pp.1351-1377.

Dantas, L.A. and Cunha, A., 2020. An integrative debate on learning styles and the learning process. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2(1), p.100017.

 

Ghosh, B. and Roy, J., 2019. Climate action and maritime business education: the pedagogy of experiential learning. IIRE J. Marit. Res. Dev, 3, pp.62-77.

 

Hopkins, R., 1993. David Kolb's experiential learning machine. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 24(1), pp.46-62.

 

Olanipekun, T., Effoe, V., Bakinde, N., Bradley, C., Ivonye, C. and Harris, R., 2020. Learning styles of internal medicine residents and association with the in-training examination performance. Journal of the National Medical Association, 112(1), pp.44-51.