Experiential Learning-Let the students do it!

 The Importance of Experiences

Many districts are studying the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) Framework by Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher and incorporating it into their teaching frameworks. It follows an "I do", "We do", "You do together", "You do alone" process to move students to more independent learning practices.  This begins with a focused instruction phase where the teacher writes an "I can.." statement on the board and models the skill using a think aloud.

Why tell them what they are learning ahead of time? Why not let them determine the purpose of the lesson AFTER you have taken them through the experience of learning? Or just give them a broad topic of study for the day? LET THEM DO IT! 

This is where I will challenge this process.....why not provide more experiential learning opportunities?

Watch the video below on the Experiential Learning Theory.

 "A learning outcome is not an endpoint, but a resting place."




Experiential Learning can be summarized in these steps:

1. Concrete Experiences- learning through action

2. Reflection-share discoveries with peers, collaborate on ideas

3. Thinking-reach conclusions and analyzing experience

4. Action-applying new understanding

Students need more experiences and less structured framework for learning. I appreciate the GGR framework and what it is trying to accomplish. Teachers need to be LESS.  However, I feel an important aspect of learning is discovery. If you follow the GRR method and its steps, students are told what to learn and any teachable moment or student discovery does not have a place. I will always advocate for project based learning that follows the experiential learning steps. 

"Through these experiences students develop communication skills and self-confidence and gain and strengthen decision-making skills by responding to and solving real world problems and processes."

Experiential learning: Center for innovative teaching and learning. Northern Illinois University. (2012). Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/experiential-learning.shtml#:~:text=Students%20learn%20through%20student%2D%20rather,real%20world%20problems%20and%20processes.




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