Introduction
The method of learning through activities is referred to as experiential learning. This strategy can assist students and employees in making deeper connections between what they learn in class or at work and real-world circumstances. They accomplish this by engaging in hands-on activities and reflecting on them afterwards.
Experiential learning differs from typical academic instruction in that students are in charge of their own education. Instead of being told what to do and when to do it, they voluntarily engage and contribute. In this type of learning, the teacher offers the students more freedom.
Similarly, employees are given the freedom in experimental learning. Learning can take place outside of the classroom, without the use of textbooks or academic materials. In this article, we will walk you through some best practices in experiential learning that you can use to implement experiential learning in your company and school.
Top Experiential Learning Activities
The following are the best practices in experiential learning and how you can improve the effectiveness of experiential learning:
Playing a role
Role-playing creates a safe space for learners to experience different situations, allowing them to make errors and gain knowledge from them. It uses actual situations to simulate experiences, challenges, setbacks, and results. This approach helps people feel more confident, get better at their skills, and motivates them to find creative solutions to problems.
Role-playing can be made easy by having a trainee practice taking a pretend phone call from a difficult customer. It can also be created to help employees understand work issues from a different perspective. Students can role-play challenging discussions in communication studies to hone their communication abilities.
Games
You can also organize team-building activities that involve outdoor experiences and interactive games. There are many experiential activities that can be played in schools to help teachers assess students performance, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These experiential activities are fun and dynamic.
Team-building games are fun and can help people learn. Employees have the opportunity to engage in various games such as Crossword Puzzles, Office Trivia, and PowerPoint karaoke. These games provide challenges that are connected to specific skills, goals, and outcomes.
Engaging in team problem-solving activities is a great way to practice and learn the importance of clear communication, cooperation, and listening skills.
Case studies
Many people find it easier to learn from real-life experiences rather than from theories. The purpose of case studies is to give solid, real-world examples that expand upon core concepts by using actual events. It helps students better understand the topics.
Case studies can be delivered in a variety of ways, giving participants the chance to consider data, come up with answers to open-ended questions, or brainstorm solutions. Attendees may gain important knowledge by reviewing past experiences regarding the actions or behaviors needed to deal with similar situations in the future.
Simulations
Simulations are helpful for evaluating skills, adjusting instruction, and giving employees the opportunity to use what they have learned. Students can use simulations to apply what they have learned in the classroom to actual situations in a safe virtual setting. Simulations are versatile and can be used to train and prepare participants for both anticipated and unforeseen situations.
The EDUardo Business Simulation is famous for its carefully crafted training simulations. It is a good example of a tool used for recruiting and promoting. Candidates have the option to assess their skills in a realistic virtual environment.
Using gamification to solve problems
If done correctly, gamification may be an excellent tool for organizations to solve problems successfully. Gamification has the potential to boost student engagement. Instead of being just recipients of information, they start to actively participate in their learning.
When learners are given the opportunity to manage real-life events or make decisions during an exercise, their engagement skyrockets. It increases the learner’s confidence in their capacity to succeed in comparable situations before they encounter them in real life.
On-the-job training (OJT)
On-the-job training (OJT) allows individuals to get experience and familiarity with common work settings that they would face even after their training is over.
Employees learn in a situation where they must use their new information and abilities. On-the-job training teaches employees how to better use the tools, machinery, documents, equipment, and expertise accessible in the workplace.
For instance, Amazon offers exceptional training programs for its employees. Before hiring, the company provides a training and leadership program that lasts for one month. Amazon provides financial assistance for employees who wish to pursue education in high-demand fields, covering up to 95% of the associated costs. They also provide training for employees who work from home using the “Virtual Contact Center.”
Putting Experiential Learning into Practice
Some approaches for providing, improving, and speeding up remote experiential learning include virtualization, cloud computing, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). You can also use simple tools for collaboration, such as video calls, discussion forums, e-portfolios, interactive surveys or games for skill testing, and remote labs for experimentation. In this scenario, technology is becoming increasingly crucial.
How to Encourage Experiential Learning Activities in Your Organization/Institutions?
- Identify the reasons behind your desire to invest in experiential learning activities.
- Ensure that your students or employees can easily reach all the resources needed for each stage of the Experiential Learning Cycle. The Experiential Learning Cycle involves four steps: doing, reflecting, thinking, and applying what you have learned.
- Make sure to maintain a strong system for receiving and responding to feedback.
- Promote it as an integral part of your learning culture, rather than a separate initiative.
- Experiential learning involves discovering things about oneself. It would be beneficial if you let individuals apply their knowledge to the broader world, rather than just restricting it to their job and academics.
Conclusion
Including experiential learning activities in both your classroom and workplace is extremely important. It is important to give your employees and students the opportunity to practice, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and try again. EDUardo Business Simulation is an excellent tool where candidates can put their abilities to the test in a virtual world that feels real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can role-playing be used to help people learn?
A1: Role-playing provides a secure environment for employees and students to practice real-life scenarios, make mistakes, and gain knowledge from them. For instance, it can assist employees in managing challenging customer interactions or comprehending work-related matters from various viewpoints, thereby improving their skills and problem-solving capabilities.
Q2: Which team-building activities encourage hands-on learning?
A2: Games such as Crossword Puzzle, Office Trivia, Shark Tank, and Powerpoint Karaoke are enjoyable experiential activities that help students learn and build a strong team. These experiential activities help people communicate clearly, work together, and improve their listening skills. They also make learning fun.
Q3: How do case studies help with learning through experience?
A3: Case studies provide real-life examples that help to further explain fundamental ideas. They allow participants to examine data, respond to questions that have multiple possible answers, or come up with solutions through group discussion. They assist learners in acquiring practical knowledge by examining previous experiences and using the lessons learned to handle future situations.
