Experiential learning and the Kolb Learning Cycle
This week I am exploring a different way of learning outdoors. the models I looked at was the Kolb Learning Cycle and exerientail learning. both learning styles are similar to the ways of learning. the learning style is different than how most classrooms teach now. For example, instead of learning the topic in a classroom and looking at the photos of the activity you go to the location and observe what is happening. A primary example of this is the animal learning project where you have the students learn about their favourite animal and they do a presentation about it. to make it a experiential learning topic have them go to the zoo and learn. They are observing the animal and learning at the same time. It is a different way of learning.
One of the things to keep in mind with this model is that some students will have a hard time transitioning if they are used to the traditional style of learning in the classroom and may not benefit every student.
Four components/ learning cycle
How does this connect with outdoor learning?
This connects through outdoor education because this is how class is taught. It is taught through the Kolb learning cycle. To expand children’s learning and to help other learners focus better on the topic they learn through observation and experiments. For example, they are going for a nature walk and observation what is around them. The children could be learning about their four senses and how their learning is affected by the different learning environments. The nature walk could lead to a lesson about the seasons like fall and create a art, math, and science lesson ass well as getting on their physical education in one outdoor learning trip.
Putting the learning style into action
After learning about how this style of learning works, I went outside into the community forest to learn how to identify plants and the change in season. I started with the main subjects I think of with oudoor learning for me which is science and gym. I used the app inaturalist to identify plants, animals, and insects on the walk through the community forest. on the walk I collectedfour dead items on the forest floor as apart of the activity.
After the walk the goal is too create an art piece involving math and the colour wheel.
Links
https://www.queensu.ca/experientiallearninghub/about/what-experiential-learning
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-practices-in-education/id1485927140
