Experiential Learning

Experiential learning, a fairly recently educational concept doing rounds in the elitist echelons of the Indian education system. I have been attracted to the concept of experiential learning from the moment that I heard about it.

On wikipi'ing the word, I realized that there has been a lot of academic study and research that has been done on this particular methodology to teach tiny tots. Having experienced both the kinds of educational systems, instructional and participatory, I have been amazed by how the method of instruction can catalyze the agility and capacity of the learner.

Wiki says following about the historical context:
John Doewy, an American educational philosopher, was an early twentieth century promoter of the idea of learning through direct experience (action and reflection). Experiential education differs from much traditional education in that teachers first immerse students in action and then ask them to reflect on the experience.

In traditional education, teachers set the knowledge to be learnt (including analysis and synthesis) before students. They hope students will subsequently find ways to apply the knowledge.

Despite the efforts of many efforts at progressive educational reform, this movment has not really taken off.

A lot of what buildingBlocks is trying to achieve is pretty much on these lines.

Hope to write more on this topic.