Kolb Theories

Part 1

Experiential learning theory of Kolb is amongst the most valuable academic and learning principles in the higher education. The philosophy provides an approach of organizing a session or an entire study program implementing a learning cycle. The various phases of this cycle are related to distinctive learning styles. People vary in their desired learning styles and identifying this is the initially phase in escalating students' consciousness of the alternate doable methods. The philosophies present an adamant theoretical foundation, that is certainly lacking in the work of several other authors (Holman, 1997).

In accordance with Kolb (1984, 38) “Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”. The philosophy provides a method of sequencing structuring and the learning process and signifies, particularly the way a learning activity, or an entire study course, might be tutored to enrich individual learning. It implies that learning is cyclical, that involves 4 phases, often known as feeling / sensing, reflecting /watching, pondering , and executing ( Fielding, 1994 ) . An essential element of the philosophy tends to be that the distinct phases are related to different learning styles. People vary in their desired learning styles and identifying this is the initial phase in boosting knowledge of students, the substitute methods conceivable and assisting them to become much more versatile in achieving the diverse requirements of learning circumstances ( Gibbs, 1988 ) . Instructors should also identify their very own learning styles as grounds for the progression of effectual instructing and education strategies. Learning may be affected wherever there exists a noticeable disparity between the style of the student and the approach of the instructor (Fielding, 1994).

The philosophy seems to provide a legitimate and credible frame-work to many individuals which are usually the primary or just principle mentioned in several papers and textbooks on experiential learning. The elegance of the philosophy is the fact that it offers a valid reason for various learning methods, such as independent learning, learning through activities, problem based learning and work based learning that have currently acquired significant consideration within higher education.

Summing up we assume that the specific advantages of Kolb's theory are that it: presents ready pointers to practical application; guides us to make sure that various educational techniques are employed in a training course; offers a theoretical principle for what a lot of us already practice as teachers and then spots us regarding how to strengthen on-learning Cycles and Education Styles.

Part 2

The learning cyclic process thus presents observations that could be the foundation for innovative activity and assessment of the outcomes of the particular activity for example it was used in wildlife sacntury project. Novices must pass through the cycle repeatedly, so that it might best be regarded as a spiral of phases. To conclude Kolb conceptualizes the approach to activity analysis as "a spiral of activity and investigation comprising of 4 main events: strategy, function, monitor and contemplate " ( Zuber-Skerritt 1992b , 11 ) . Race (1993) has suggested ...