Month: July 2025

Hi everyone ! This week’s Post 2 delves into theoretical approaches to learning environment design and their practical application. I’ll be zeroing in on ‘Experiential Learning’.

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning, as its name implies, is an educational approach where knowledge, skills, and values are gained through direct ‘experience’. It goes beyond passive information absorption, emphasizing learning by actively doing. Based on my research, experiential learning is characterized as a ‘philosophy and methodology’ where educators immerse learners in hands-on experiences and meaningful reflection.

A key feature of this learning method is its ability to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also enhances learners’ capacity to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. The approach isn’t solely focused on outcomes but also values the learning ‘process’ itself. Effective experiential learning requires a thoughtful balance of reflection, content, and active engagement.

Incorporating Experiential Learning into My Design

I have a deep passion for economics and innovative educational approaches, particularly in creating engaging learning resources like educational comics. I firmly believe that applying experiential learning principles within economics can help students develop a more profound and practical understanding of complex economic concepts.

In an ‘Economics’ course, I would move beyond traditional theoretical lectures by designing interactive and immersive learning experiences. For instance, students could simulate market dynamics by creating a hypothetical startup and navigating its financial challenges, or they might critically analyze real-world economic policies to predict potential societal impacts. Through these hands-on, immersive activities, learners can naturally internalize fundamental economic principles like supply and demand or cost-benefit analysis by directly experiencing their practical applications within a controlled, supportive environment.

When developing educational comics or animation scripts to explain economic theories, experiential learning becomes an incredibly powerful pedagogical tool. Picture students crafting narratives that illustrate complex concepts like inflation through relatable daily life scenarios or exploring comparative advantage through engaging trade narratives. The process of researching economic principles, structuring compelling storylines, and creating visual representations; while confronting and overcoming design challenges – transforms into a rich, transformative learning experience. Through this approach, students don’t merely memorize theoretical concepts; they actively construct and internalize economic knowledge by creatively applying their understanding.

By emphasizing active engagement, experiential learning provides students with a robust framework for independent discovery and meaningful intellectual growth, effectively bridging the often-perceived gap between abstract economic theory and real-world practical application.

References

• The Association for Experiential Education. (2024). What is experiential learning? Experiential Learning. https://www.experientiallearning.org/info/what-is-experiential-learning/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
• Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Experiential learning. Northern Illinois University. https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/experiential-learning.shtml
• Study.com. (n.d.). Experiential learning: Definition, methods & examples. https://study.com/learn/lesson/experiential-learning-techniques-examples.html

Blog #2 for EDCI 335

Hi Tony !

I appreciated how you connected direct instruction to personal experiences in math and science—this approach made the explanation both engaging and accessible. I concur with your observation that the method’s primary advantage lies in the instructor’s immediate intervention when students encounter confusion, which is particularly crucial in progressively complex subjects.

Your assessment of the pet health project was also insightful. I found your comparison between direct instruction’s structured framework and inquiry-based learning’s adaptability compelling, especially considering the individualized nature of pet care. Your suggestion of a blended approach is intriguing—using direct instruction to establish foundational health knowledge, then transitioning to inquiry-based learning for applying those principles to diverse pet scenarios seems like an effective strategy.

Learning Experiences with Behaviorism

Behaviorism fundamentally centers on modifying behavior via a system of rewards and consequences, doesn’t it? For me, the most vivid illustration comes from my elementary school experience with multiplication tables. Our teacher strategically motivated us by awarding colorful stickers for precise recitations, and those who demonstrated rapid mastery were even treated to small stationery prizes. By employing consistent drilling and providing positive reinforcement for accurate responses, I effectively internalized these mathematical facts with both speed and precision. This scenario epitomizes the behaviorist methodology, wherein a targeted behavior in this case, memorizing multiplication tables is systematically learned through persistent practice and carefully structured incentives.

Learning Experiences with Cognitivism

Cognitivism centers on how learners take in, analyze, and retain information. The approach emphasizes comprehending concepts and solving problems, moving far beyond simple memorization. My high school economics classes, particularly when exploring intricate economic models, exemplified this learning philosophy perfectly. Take, for example, our lessons on supply and demand curves or the impact of government policies on market dynamics – I wasn’t passively recording facts, but actively engaging with the underlying mechanisms. By breaking down complex information through different examples and visual representations, I systematically worked to understand how various factors interconnect and influence outcomes. This process of logically restructuring information, critically examining relationships, and constructing new understanding was a quintessential demonstration of cognitive learning in action.

Learning Experiences with Constructivism

Constructivism proposes that learners build new knowledge by integrating their personal experiences and prior understanding. My current group projects provide an excellent illustration of this concept. Particularly in EDCI 335, and 337 collaborating with teammates to develop a Learning Design Blueprint or an educational comic exemplifies this approach. We openly exchange ideas, seamlessly blending our diverse backgrounds and individual perspectives to generate innovative solutions. Engaging in discussions around open-ended challenges without a single predetermined answer, we collectively evolve and refine our understanding, reconstructing knowledge through mutual exploration. This collaborative process powerfully embodies the core principles of constructivist learning: tackling authentic problems and co-creating knowledge through interactive and dynamic teamwork.

Peer Feedback Comment

Motivation Theories and Designs

Hi, Joanne

Thank you for sharing such a well-structured and insightful post! I deeply appreciated how you articulated the transition from conventional extrinsic motivators to more contemporary, research-supported approaches like expectancy-value theory and self-efficacy. Your explanation of how students’ perceived competence and task value are crucial to their motivation was particularly compelling.

The breakdown of Keller’s ARCS model was both clear and practical. I found your explanation of each component especially valuable, particularly the emphasis on connecting content to students’ interests and learning styles to establish relevance. This perspective offers a tangible approach to instructional design that I can readily incorporate into my own thinking.

I have a minor suggestion: A brief, direct comparison of performance versus mastery goals might help clarify their distinct impacts on motivation. Also, I noticed a small typo—I believe you meant “self-efficacy theory” instead of “self-efficiency theory.”

In summary, this was an excellent overview that skillfully bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful and informative insights!