Kolb Learning Cycle

The Kolb learning cycle or the Experiential learning cycle is learning theory published by David Kolb
in 1984, this is a process of learning that consisting of four stage system; Concrete experience,
Reflective observation, Abstract conceptualisation and Active experimentation. There are a few
unique things about this learning cycle, it is a process that we can learn from our previous
experiences and put them into new practices and lends itself to using different learning styles for each
stage.

Concrete
experience

Kolb
experimentation Learning
Active Reflective
observation

Cycle
Abstract
conceptualisation

Concrete Experience is a stage that you actively do something new yourself for learning to happen.
In the next stage Reflective observation, it suggests we start to review or observe what we have
done and maybe ask ourselves questions about what we did during the previous stage of the task.
The next stage Abstract conceptualisation is when we now start think about the task and try to
make sense of what we have previously done and adapt it into our task. The final stage Abstract
experimentation is to now take what we have done reviewed and thought about and put it into
practice, before we start doing something new where the cycle starts all over again.

An example of the Kolb cycle would be when I put in new light fittings into a butchers, after which I
observed that there was difference in colour in the meats, the meats under the old lights looked
brighter or fresher than the ones under the new fittings. From this I read about a term colour
rendering that colours can change depending on what frequency of light shines on them. To
conclude I bought the relevant light to show the meats as the butcher wanted.
After doing various learning style questionnaires e.g. Felder, Silverman, Vark. I have found that my
preferred process of learning is one of active, visual and kinesthetic way’s and my preferred process
of teaching would be one that I can show you what you can achieve or do.

References

https://elearningindustry.com/using-kolbs-learning-styles-engaging-custom-elearning-courses
[accessed on 23rd October 2020]

https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/doctoralcollege/training/eresources/teaching/theories/kolb

https://www.webtools.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/

https://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=results