What characterizes experiential learning?

Experiential learning is characterized by learning through hands-on experience and reflection. This approach allows individuals to engage directly with the material in a practical context, enabling them to apply theoretical concepts in real-world situations. The process involves active participation, where learners engage in tasks, projects, or experiences that require them to think critically and reflect on their actions. This reflection helps in consolidating new knowledge and insights gained from the experience and contributes to deeper understanding and retention.

In contrast, the emphasis on theoretical knowledge only ignores the critical component of application and personal involvement, which is essential in experiential learning. Focusing solely on lectures and textbooks limits the engagement that comes from practical experiences. Lastly, an absence of real-world application fails to connect the learning to meaningful contexts, which is fundamental to the experiential learning model. Therefore, the distinct aspect of experiential learning lies in the integration of hands-on activities with reflective practices to enhance the learning experience.