Experience is, for me, the highest authority. The touchstone of validity is my own experience. No other person's ideas, and none of my own ideas, are as authoritative as my experience. ~ From On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers
Experiential Learning in the Classroom
How Teachers can Apply the Principles of this Theory:
Teacher's Roles:
The role of the teacher is to facilitate learning, since according to Rogers, ALL children have the capability to learn! To carry out this facilitator role, teachers must:
(1) Create a positive climate for learning
(2) Explain the purposes of the learner(s)
(3) Organize and supply learning resources
(4) Create a balance of intellectual and emotional components of learning
(5) Share feelings and thoughts with learners but not predominate conversation!
The role of the teacher is to facilitate learning, since according to Rogers, ALL children have the capability to learn! To carry out this facilitator role, teachers must:
(1) Create a positive climate for learning
(2) Explain the purposes of the learner(s)
(3) Organize and supply learning resources
(4) Create a balance of intellectual and emotional components of learning
(5) Share feelings and thoughts with learners but not predominate conversation!
How Teachers Can Best Facilitate Learning (according to Rogers):
1). Allow the student to fully participate in their own learning-- let them control its nature and direction
2). Make assignments involve practical, social, personal, or research problems
3). Stress the importance of self-evaluation
1). Allow the student to fully participate in their own learning-- let them control its nature and direction
2). Make assignments involve practical, social, personal, or research problems
3). Stress the importance of self-evaluation
What the Research Says:
In his article, "Learning by Doing," Jason Hedrick asserts that one of the "guiding principles" for youth education should be based on a philosophy of "learning by doing," as this is where meaningful learning takes place. Therefore, lesson plans should focus more on "making, producing, practicing, and observing" exercises rather than teacher directed lecture.
In his article, "Learning by Doing," Jason Hedrick asserts that one of the "guiding principles" for youth education should be based on a philosophy of "learning by doing," as this is where meaningful learning takes place. Therefore, lesson plans should focus more on "making, producing, practicing, and observing" exercises rather than teacher directed lecture.