I came across recently a clip about an experiential learning activity around the topic ‘understanding the others’. It makes me re-examine my own view on experiential learning.
First, I really felt moved when I watched the video. When I imagined to be one of the kids there and followed one instruction after another, I pictured myself among the kids in the front. I believed that I would have a big ‘aha’ as I turned and looks face to face to those at the back. I would particularly be shocked when the host said ‘…everything I said has nothing to do with what you have done…’ The resulting visual impact was huge. In addition, when the front kids were really running, the feeling of excitement and mixed feeling about those at the back would probably enhance learning transfer a great deal. It is such a well-designed activity – simple and to the point.
Yet, I still have my usual doubt on such activity which is designed and run with an intended (or even imposed) conclusion. In particular: