Experiential learning
From WikEd
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[edit] Experiential learning
[edit] Definition:
Hahn believed that each child is born with innate spiritual powers and ability to make correct judgments about moral issues. However, in the progression through adolescence, the child loses these spiritual powers and the ability to make moral judgments because of, what Hahn calls, the diseased society and the impulses of adolescence. Experiental learning is as the phrase indicates learning by experience, learning by doing and learning by taking risks. An experiental learning education focuses on the personal growth of an individuum, it promotes active citizenship, internationalism and development by challenge.
[edit] Key Elements of an Adventure Curriculum
- a sense of adventure, unpredictability, drama and suspense.
- a consistently high level of expectation demanded and created by both the intrinsic and external forces... not something that just anyone can accomplish .... and a guide or teacher that CARES that the goal is reached.
- a positive, success orientation in which growth is supported and encouraged.
- an atmosphere of mutual support.
- a sense of enjoyment, fun, an opportunity to laugh at the situation, at oneself and others.
- an approach to learning which makes use of group problem- solving, problems requiring a variety of personal contributions, problems though that can not ordinarily be solved individually.
- the use of a learning laboratory (activity, modality) that is more complex, more engaging (fun, interesting) and less predictable and less familiar than a school classroom.
- involves the merging of intellectual, social, physical and emotional learning and development.
- involves a significant amount of cognitive work related directly to abstractions and questions....
- combines moments of active involvement with moments of personal and group reflection and evaluation ... an awareness that "teachable and learnable" moments are unpredictable but necessary ingredients.
- an organization and structure which define the limits of the experience and state expectations, but within which the participants have freedom to make decisions, choices and make mistakes.
- an economic and structural reasonableness which allows the curriculum to effectively compete for dollars and other resources within an educational economy which is limited in its resources. Neither too long, too exotic or too expensive.
from Prouty, D. Project Adventure: a Brief History found in Miles, J.C. & Priest, S. (1990) Adventure Education
Hahn founded several schools who teach according to these principles today…
[edit] Experiential learning schools
[edit] Schule Schloss Salem
Salem seeks young people who are inquisitive, open minded and willing to make their own way within the community of their peer group. Young adults wanting to succeed in today's society should have access to a programme of extra-curricular activities in their secondary education, one which enables them to see the results of 'learning by doing' as well as those of academic studies.
[edit] The Gordonstoun Schools
"A Gordonstoun education prepares students for a full and active role as international citizens in a changing world" Our Mission Statement underlines the belief that education is primarily a preparation for life. If that is so, the success of a School must be judged not solely by the achievements of its students but also by their development as people and human beings.
http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/grdnstn/stoun.htm
[edit] Outward Bound
The mission of Outward Bound is to conduct safe adventure-based programs structured to inspire self-esteem, self-reliance, concern for others and care for the environment. Over 40 schools worldwide. "As an educational forum, Outward Bound offers true learning, involving heart, mind and body in a way that will last a lifetime."
[edit] Experiential Learning in Higher Education:
- A need for educated workers and citizens who can meet the challenges of a
new world economy and order;
- An increased understanding of learning theories and cognitive development; - More non-traditional learners with multitudes of learning styles and needs; - A changing American workplace which requires people to effectively
interface with each other and understand their roles as team players;
Review by Jeffrey A. Cantor http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/95-7dig.htm
[edit] Kurt Hahn quotes
"Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand." - Kurt Hahn This quote actually is an old Chinese quote, some attribute to Confucious not Kurt Hahn
"I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self denial, and above all, compassion.“ - Kurt Hahn
“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.‿ - Kurt Hahn
"There are three ways of trying to win the young. There is persuasion. There is compulsion and there is attraction. You can preach at them; that is a hook without a worm. You can say "you must volunteer." That is the devil. And you can tell them, "you are needed" that hardly ever fails." - Kurt Hahn
"I was once present at a meeting presided over by Doctor Carl Reinhardt. One schoolmaster made the remark, 'I have no faith in this boy.' Dr. Reinhardt said to him, 'Then you have no right to educate him.'" - Kurt Hahn
"All youngsters need the opportunity of proving themselves to themselves, and education must provide such opportunities." - Kurt Hahn
More quotes:
http://www.wilderdom.com/Hahn.htm
http://www.kurthahn.org/quotes/quote2.html
[edit] Seven laws of Salem
1. Give children the opportunity for self-discovery.
[Give them a chance to discover themselves.]
2. Make the children meet with triumph and defeat.
[See to it that they experience both success and defeat.]
3. Give the children the opportunity of self-effacement in the common cause.
[See to it that they have the chance to forget themselves in the
pursuit of a common cause.]
4. Provide periods of silence.
[See to it that there are periods of silence.]
5. Train the imagination.
[Train the imagination, the ability to participate and plan.]
6. Make games important but not predominant.
[Take sports and games seriously, but only as part of the whole.]
7. Free the sons of the wealthy and powerful from the enervating sense
of privilege.
[Free them of the rich and influential parents and from the
paralysing influence of wealth and privelege.]
[edit] Declines of modern youth
1. Decline of Fitness due to modern methods of locomotion [moving about];
2. Decline of Initiative and Enterprise due to the widespread disease
of spectatoritis;
3. Decline of Memory and Imagination due to the confused restlessness
of modern life;
4. Decline of Skill and Care due to the weakened tradition of craftsmanship;
5. Decline of Self-discipline due to the ever-present availability
of stimulants and tranquilizers;
And worst of all:
6. Decline of Compassion due to the unseemly haste with which modern life
is conducted or as William Temple called “spiritual death‿.
[edit] What can one do about it
1. Fitness Training (e.g., to compete with one's self in physical fitness;
in so doing, train the discipline and determination of the mind
through the body)
2. Expeditions (e.g., via sea or land, to engage in long,
challenging endurance tasks)
3. Projects (e.g., involving crafts and manual skills)
4. Rescue Service (e.g., Surf Lifesaving, Firefighting, First Aid, etc.)
http://www.wilderdom.com/Hahn.htm
[edit] Personal Testimonials
As a recent Outward Bound graduate I really stand behind my WikED page. Last summer I did a 45-days outdoors educator course with the North Carolina Outward Bound school. This course had a deep impact on my personal life as well as how I define me as a developing educator. For my personal life I gained a lot of self-confidence, a true love of for all kinds of adventures, more committment in community work and a strong belief that everyone can change the world. As a educator I believe as Hahn that students want to learn and can learn best in an adventure curriculum. We should improve our classrooms and schools in a way that our students are well prepared for the challenges of an always changing world. - Felix Autenrieth
I truly believe that experiential learning is the best kind of learning. The best things I've done have been the most challenging. I truly believe that the harder something is, the more one will learn and gain from it in the end. The hardest thing for me was working with the Americorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) in a team with 8 others for 10 months. We travelled around the southeast of the U.S. (Arkansas, South Carolina, and Georgia) and did service projects in the areas of the environment, unment human needs (which usually translates to home construction), and education/tutoring. (We were also trained for disaster relief, but did not get placed in a project in which we used these skills.) We lived together, worked together, rode around in a 15-passenger van together, and did lived our lives together the whole time. It was a lesson in getting along with others, in persevering, in putting up with something you can't stand, in being proactive to change things when you can and accepting or enjoying things when you can't. I've learned alot in 20 years of classrooms, but nothing as pertinant to living life as I learned with Americorps. - Steve Hetzel
[edit] Links of Interest
Internet Sites
Experiential Learning & Experiential Education
