Ferris State University

Center for Teaching, Learning & Faculty Development
Kolb's Experiential Model
  Learning Strengths and Preferred Learning Situations
 

 

Learning Strengths

Preferred Learning Situation

Concrete Experience

1.Learning by intuition
2.Learning from specific experiences
3.Relating to people
4.Sensitivity to people
5.Sensitivity to feelings
1. Learning from new experiences, games, role plays, and so on.
2.Peer feedback and discussion
3.Personalized counseling
4.Teacher as coach/helper

Reflective Observation

1.Learning by perception
2.Careful observations before making judgments
3.Viewing things from different perspectives
4.Introversion
1.Lectures
2.Opportunity to take an observer role, to see different perspectives
3.Objective tests of one’s knowledge about an issue
4.Teacher as guide/task master

Abstract Conceptualization

1.Learning by thinking
2.Logical analysis of ideas
3.Systematic planning
4.Deductive thinking – acting on the basis of one’s understanding of a situation
1.Theory readings
2.Study time alone
3.Clear, well structured presentation of ideas
4.Teacher as a communicator of information

Active Experimentation

1.Learning by doing
2.Ability to get things done
3.Risk taking
4.Extroversion – acting to influence people and events
1.Opportunities to practice and receive feedback
2.Small group discussions
3.Projects and individualized, self-paced, learning activities
4.Teacher as role model – how to do it

 Instructional Activities

Concrete Experience

Active Experimentation

Reflexive observation

Abstract conceptualization

Readings

Projects

Logs

Lecture

Examples

Fieldwork

Journals

Papers

Fieldwork

Homework

Discussion

Projects

Laboratories

Laboratory

Brainstorming

Analogies

Problem sets

Case study

Thought questions

Model building

Trigger films

Simulations

Rhetorical questions

 

Observations

 

 

 

Simulations/games

 

 

 

Primary text reading

 

 

 

         

Faculty wanting further information about any of these topics are encouraged to contact Terry Doyle at doylet@ferris.edu



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Website comments?  Contact danielsl@ferris.edu

 


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