Encouraging learner’s participation in Experiential Learning classes

Encouraging learner's participation in experiential learning classes

 

            Experiential learning is often associated with learning through action since it involves the participation of the students in the activities conducted. According to Kraft and Sakofs(1998), experiential learning is the process of actively engaging students in an experience that will have benefits and consequences. Students make discoveries and experiment with knowledge themselves instead of hearing or reading about the experiences of others. Students also reflect on their experiences, thus developing new skills, new attitudes, and new theories or ways of thinking. Students may also relate existing knowledge and theory to their experience to better understand the existing theory or modify it.

However, it comes into problems when the students refuse or have less interest in participating in the activities conducted especially when it comes to English lesson. This is a challenge for the teacher to find the solution to this problem. English language teaching classroom should be interesting and alive so that the students will not feel bored and end up acquiring nothing from the lesson. Teacher can conduct interactive language games which are able to rouse the students' interest and spirit. If possible, try to make the students move from their seats so that they will not feel constrained in the classroom.

The other way that can be put into practice is try to give reinforcement to the students. For example teacher can rouse the students' spirit and interest to involve in the activities conducted by rewarding the students with sweets or candy if they win the games. They will feel appreciated by the rewards and will automatically encourage them to become more serious to learn and to participate in the activities conducted.

 

In experiential learning classroom, teacher should also try to change the learning environment rather than sticking to the same classroom environment that might cause the students to feel bored and tensed. The teacher sometimes should bring them out, for example in the language lab, in the hall, in the field, under the tree, or perhaps in the canteen in order to make the students really feel and experience the lesson.

 

Conclusively, students' participation is important in any experiential learning. Therefore, teachers need to be aware of the ways towards encouraging students' participation.

 

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