Why Learning Needs to Evolve
Humans learn best by adapting to their environment.
In today’s world, information is everywhere, and students can learn using the internet and AI.
Traditional schools may become less relevant as just knowledge providers.
However, schools are still important for social, emotional, and cultural development, teaching teamwork, empathy, and responsibility.
What’s Wrong with the Current System
Many schools (especially government ones) face poor infrastructure, untrained teachers, and outdated content.
There’s a big gap between urban and rural schools.
Even good schools focus too much on rote learning and exams, which do not build real-world skills.
Children learn in different ways, and the system often fails to support that diversity.
What is Experiential Learning?
"Learning by doing" – students learn through hands-on activities and real-life experiences.
It focuses on the process of learning, not just outcomes like test scores.
Developed by theorists like David Kolb, it includes learning through experience, reflection, thinking, and experimentation.
Helps students develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Kolb’s Four Stages of Learning
Concrete Experience – Doing or experiencing something new.
Reflective Observation – Thinking about what happened and what it means.
Abstract Conceptualisation – Learning from the experience and forming new ideas.
Active Experimentation – Applying the new ideas to test or solve problems.
These stages repeat in cycles, deepening understanding over time.
How Can It Be Used in Schools?
Group projects, role-play, games, arts, field trips, and real-world problem solving.
Flipped classrooms: Students learn at home first and apply it in class with help from teachers.
Use of technology and simulations for more engaging experiences.
Focuses on student participation, not just teacher-led lectures.
Challenges to Experiential Learning
It may ignore outside factors like family background, peer influence, or culture.
Needs more resources, teacher training, and planning – which is tough in large systems like India.
Students with basic skill gaps might struggle with advanced thinking tasks.
One-size-fits-all approaches won’t work – flexibility is key.
Conclusion
Experiential learning helps students of all types and abilities.
It doesn’t need to replace the current system completely – it can enhance and support it.
The goal is to make learning meaningful, personal, and lifelong.
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