ONLINE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 

​Professor D.A. Kolb’s research shows that mastering expertise is a continuous process of four key elements - experience, reflection, conceptualization and experimentation. Online learning technologies can contribute significantly to the elements of the experiential learning cycle in various forms :

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1. Experiential Learning Activities

Online learning is an ideal platform to recreate real-world experiences in the form of game-based learning or virtual and augmented reality. Activities and training can be built around game formats or templates that reflect reality. Virtual or augmented experiences can help recreate different events in time or various job-related scenarios, helping learners build on their knowledge and skills.

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2. Opportunities for Reflection

Open-ended quizzes and discussions can be included within online learning activities to help learners reflect and evaluate their experiences. This will help learners to analyze and learn from their own and others’ experiences.

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3. Social Learning

Online opportunities that help learners share their experiences through media, annotations, blogs and social interactions can help with reflective observation. Additionally, meaningful online challenges within the learning or training can help with motivation and social engagement.

 

4. Experimentation

Simulated experiences, reflective interactions and social learning encourage learners to experiment and build on their existing knowledge. Gamification features in training, such as points, badges and leaderboards can promote experimentation and help learners improve their skills and experience.