Experiential Learning

The experiential learning theory by C. Rogers is based on two types of learning. There is cognitive learning which is memorizing facts, vocabulary, numbers, etc. The other is experiential learning and it is based on what the leaner wants to learn and know about. It is knowledge that is applied, meaning that if you wanted to make and decorate your own cake you would learn about cake decorating. As Rogers states, the qualities of this type of learning are “personal involvement, self-initiated, evaluated by the learner, and pervasive effects on learner.” Rogers believed that all people want to learn and that learning is a natural thing that occurs with everyone. He also suggests that to assist students in learning teachers should follow the 5 steps as listed below.

1. Set a positive climate to promote learning.
2. Clarify the purpose for learning.
3. Arrange and make learning resources available.
4. Balance both emotional and intellectual learning aspects.
5. Share your feelings and views with the learners, but do not take over.

This theory can be used in internet-based instruction by allowing students to use their own thinking and interests to build on and learn from. A good example of this would be to use a class web page that would allow students to have access and communication with each other and the teacher. A Wiki page is the perfect example of how this theory could be applied. All the students are connected and can communicate to each other very easily. The instructor can post activities with choices so students can choose activities that are most interesting to them and that they can apply to their own life. This type of learning will allow the learners to grow and change throughout the course of the class. Their thoughts and ideas can be expressed and shared. Blogs can also be added in order to promote as it states above, emotional and intellectual learning.
The use of mashup technologies and podcasts would also work well with this type of learning. Mashup technologies allow students to view many different aspects of the same topic and they can search for what they think is the best example of their topic. For example, if students are researching architectural history, they can search for mashups that allow them to view and explore the different architectural buildings in history. Mashups can contain maps or pictures of different things. Podcasts are also an important technology to use in the teaching field. There are thousands of podcasts on pretty much any subject you can think of. This gives freedom to the learners and allows them to search for a specific way to learn how to do something, such as creating their own web page or even how to fold a t-shirt in three seconds. When teachers use the experiential learning theory to teach it allows students to explore and put to use the things they view, observe or make, which makes the students more willing to learn and more involved. Then the students are better able to retain the knowledge and apply it.

Reference: http://tip.psychology.org/rogers.html