Encouraging learner’s participation in Experiential Learning classes

Encouraging learner's participation in Experiential Learning classes

 

 

            Experiential learning happens when students involve in an activity. Then, the students will reflect the activity and use their comprehension skills to obtain knowledge from the experience. The students will later on apply the experience from the activity in their daily lives. The advantage of this type of learning is it can help the teacher to capture attention and the students' participation in an activity. There are few ways in encouraging students' participation in an activity.

 

            First way is teacher can apply positive reinforcement in the classroom. In a lesson, teacher can provide reward for the students if the students are able to win a game or able to answer correctly. This can help to motivate the students to participate in an activity. Moreover, the reward will trigger competition among the students and all the students will be interested in participate in the activity.

 

            Second way is teacher can apply simulations in a lesson. Simulations can put the students in a real world situation where it will require the students to do some interaction and problem-solving. This situation might need the students to combine their intelligence, emotions and their senses to solve a problem. The students will be independent in looking for new solutions to a problem. For example, the students are required to think of a continuation a folktale, Pak Pandir II through role play.   

 

            Third way is teacher can apply the nature of music in a lesson. Teacher can ask the students to bring their own favourite song to the class and let the students do discussion in groups on in what way the song means to them. After that, the students need to present their discussion. Through this activity, students may relate the song to their own lives and may connects it with their experiences.

 

            To sum up, experiential learning involves lots of students' experiences in order to make this type of learning successful. The activities conducted in an experiential learning classroom should involve the combination of both action and reflection by the students.   

                                                                       

                                                                              Prepared by,

                                                                              Rebecca Ida Anak Stephen Kalong

                                                                              W. Noorazlina Binti w. Azis

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