I would say all of my PG Cert peers related well to the learning theory of experiential learning. John Dewey, the american education reformer asserted that the learner is at the centre of learning, not the teacher. Or to be even more exact, the experience is at the centre because we know that it is true. I believe we all connected because arts or design teaching is directly about learning through doing, whether by responding to a task by making or through team collaboration at workshops. And that is not just instructional skills-based learning. It’s discussing ideas, identifying the skills required, learning and then applying. Evaluate. Repeat.
Experiential learning can follow various cycles: act > reflect > conceptualise > apply. And: understanding > thinking > deciding > action. Or: new experience > reflect > conclude and learning > new behaviour. Around it goes.
The american educational theorist, David Kolb expands on the success of experiential learning by considering each student’s learning style, whether visual or kinetic. Introverts can be reflective. Extroverts active. And the experiential learning cycle can utilise them all through a team dynamic.
Please see my posts on typography and advertising workshops to see how such activity deepens student knowledge and leads to successfully realised projects.
Photo. ZERO: let’s reach for the stars. Stedelijk Museum 2015.