The Concept-te
The Concept
Experiential Learning is a holistic approach to teaching. It provides intra-integration while artificial barriers of discipline disappear. Children understand the science behind the phenomena, relate them to life’s experiences, and discern a fulfilling pattern. Thus, Truth, Goodness and beauty Sathyam, Shivam and Sundaram become the benchmark of ‘Experiential Learning’. This insight has a deep value inculcation dimension.
The purpose of this approach is two folds.
- Firstly, it involves all children of the class. While the class teacher selects the topic, the ideas for content and presentation all come from the children. Once children know their role, they gather all the inputs; the output is what you witness. When children merely listen, the absorption is barely 20%. When they get involved actively, and speak out what they have understood, the absorption ratio is 70%, or even more. Children assimilate what they experience directly. They can call that knowledge their own. What is not assimilated, i.e., not integrated into the system, is thrown out, vomited (as in exams nowadays). Bookish knowledge comes into this category, as Sri Sathya Sai Baba says. Practical knowledge is what they absorb; this is a net academic gain.
- Secondly, in working on a Theme, children work together; they develop co-operation and co-ordination. They exchange ideas and skills, which promotes the value of sharing. They develop consensus, inculcating democratic values. Thus, Group activity provides a lot of ‘peer group’ support.