Transcript Using Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning to Prepare

Using Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning
to Prepare eLearning Designers
Jackie Dobrovolny
Joni Dunlap
Dave Young
Information and Learning Technologies (ILT) program
at the University of Colorado Denver
Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning
 Learning is a process whereby knowledge is
created through experience
 Experiences are a transformational process
 Students actively construct their experience
within a sociocultural context
 Provides a framework for designing active,
collaborative, and interactive learning
experiences
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Kolb’s Model
Concrete
experience
Active
experimentation
Reflective
observation
Abstract
conceptualization
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Concrete Experience
 Emphasizes personal involvement with people in everyday
situations.
 Learner relies more on feelings than a systematic approach
to problems and situation.
 In a learning situation, learner relies on the ability to be open
minded and adapt to change.
Reflective Observation
 Learner understands ideas and situations from different
points of view.
 Learner relies on own thoughts and feelings in forming
opinions.
 In a learning situation, learner relies on patience, objectivity
and careful judgment but would not necessarily take any
action.
Abstract
Conceptualization
•
Learning involves logic and ideas rather than feelings to
understand problems or situations.
 Learner relies on systematic planning, develops theories and
ideas to solve problems.
Active Experimentation
 Learning takes an active form; experimenting with influencing
or changing situations.
 Learner takes a practical approach and is concerned with
what works as opposed to simply watching a situation.
 Learner values getting things done and seeing the results of
their influence and ingenuity.
Activities to Support Each Phase
Concrete Experience
Reflective Observation
• Labs
• Logs
• Observations
• Field work
• Trigger films
• Readings
• Problem sets
• Examples
• Journals
• Discussions
• Brainstorming
• Thought questions
• Rhetorical questions
Abstract Conceptualization
Active Experimentation
• Lectures
• Simulations
• Reports
• Models
• Projects
• Analogies
• Analysis with rubric
• Case studies
• Labs
• Field work
• Projects
UCD eLearning Students
 Often need eLearning design knowledge and skills
immediately
 Want to select activities based on interest and
need
 K-12 teachers, college instructors, corporate
trainers, instructional designers, technical
writers, and performance technologists
 Novice online learners and developers
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Program Goals & Design
 Prepare eLearning professionals
 Create structured, scaffolded learning
experiences
 Empower students to immediately apply what they
are learning to their work
 Accommodate the busy lifestyles of our students
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EdWeb Project
 Students plan and design an eLearning solution
for their workplace or community
 Students continue to build, modify, enhance,
and add additional features and functionality
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Activities in
st
1
Course
Describe the instructional problem
Conduct a front-end analysis
Write learning goals and objectives
Determine appropriate assessment methods
Develop a project proposal and describe
appropriate learning activities
 Create a functional prototype of the EdWeb
 Build a beta version of the EdWeb
 Develop an action plan outlining next steps,
further development needs, lessons learned, etc.
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Conduct Front-end Analysis
Collect data via
field work
Compile project
proposal
Make initial speculation
about project direction
Discuss what data means
and how it informs design
decisions
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Develop Project Proposal
Review examples of
e-learning
courseware
Determine what makes
courseware effective
or ineffective
Provide feedback on
teammates’ proposals
Develop draft of
project proposal
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Create Prototype
Discuss functional
prototype readings &
examples
Conduct mini
formative evaluation
Write a design
rationale
Explain design rationale
to instructors
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Table in Handout
Kolb’s
Phases
Instructional
Activities
eLearning
Tools
Concrete experience
Reflective practice
Abstract conceptualization
Active experimentation
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Wrap up and Q&A
 Questions?
 Ideas of how to apply Kolb’s model?

Note: We have an article describing our work with Kolb’s model coming out in the April/May
issue of Innovate (http://innovateonline.info/). The article will be available the beginning of
April, and provides additional detail about our use of Kolb’s model, links to our course and
course materials, examples of student work, and a list of references.
Dunlap, J.C., Dobrovolny, J., & Young, D. (2008). Preparing e-learning designers using Kolb’s
Model of Experiential Learning. Innovate, 4(4).
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