Walter Geerts & René van Kralingen - The Teachers' Handbook

1.1  A powerful learning environment motivates

■■ abstract conceptualisation; ■■ active experimentation.

A

The Kolb learning theory clearly demonstrates how the learning process moves through four phases in a cyclical process, resulting in an interaction between theory and practice. Students learn by moving through the cycle, which subse quently brings them to a new cycle at a higher attainment level. Successive cycles produce an upward spiral of development. As there is no clear start or finish, any phase can serve as the kick-off point to the learning curve (Figure 1.1).

concrete experience

4

active experimentation

reflective observation

3

1

2

abstract conceptualisation

Figure 1.1 The four phases of the learning process

A student’s individual learning style will determine at which phase he starts the cycle: ■■ The doer likes experiments and tangible experiences. He will get started straight away by just typing, discussing, presenting or sawing without prior thoughts. He will adapt his theory when the situation calls for it in practice. He prefers to approach the issue in concrete ways, even when the assignment calls for intellectual actions. ■■ The observer learns by taking a look at previous experiences from different angles. He will see what went well and what didn’t work at all. He might have

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