Outline

 Cone of Experience
 Pie Graph on Senses and Perception
The “Cone of Experience”
What is Dale’s Cone of Experience?

• a pictorial device used to explain the interrelationships

of the various types of audio-visual media, as well as
their individual “positions” in the learning process.

• Useful in selecting instructional resources and activities

(is as practical today as when Dale created it)
 Principles

 The cone is based on the relationships of various

educational experiences to reality (real life), and the
bottom level of the cone, "direct purposeful
experiences," represents reality or the closest things to
real, everyday life

 The opportunity for a learner to use a variety or several

senses (sight, smell, hearing, touching, movement) is
considered in the cone
 Direct experience allows us to use all senses.

 Verbal symbols involve only hearing.

 The more sensory channels possible in interacting with a

resource, the better the chance that many students can learn
from it.

 Each level of the cone above its base moves a learner a step
further away from real- life experiences, so experiences focusing
only on the use of verbal symbols are the furthest removed from
real life.
 Motion pictures (also television) is where it is on the cone
because it is an observational experience with little or no
opportunity to participate or use senses other than seeing
and hearing.

 Contrived experiences are ones that are highly

participatory and simulate real life situations or activities.

 Dramatized experiences are defined as experiences in

which the learner acts out a role or activity.
 Verbal Symbols

 principal medium of communication

 bear no physical resemblance to the objects or ideas

for which they stand

 may be a word for concretion, idea, scientific

principle, formula or philosophic thought

 Disadvantage: highly abstract

 Visual Symbols

 chalkboard/whiteboard, flat maps, diagrams,

charts
 fits the tempo of presentation of idea, topic
or situation
 very easy to procure and prepare
 Limitations: lack of ability to use the media size of
visuals simplification of visual materials
leads to misconceptions
Recordings, Radio, Still Pictures

 attention – getting, particularly projected

views

 Limitations: size of pictures or illustrations

expensiveness of projected
materials and equipment timing
difficulties between radio
shows and classroom lessons
 Television and Motion Pictures

 a solution to time and space constraints

 provides “windows to the world”
 effective for presenting movement, continuity of
ideas or events
 substitute for dangerous direct learning
experiences
Expensive
 Limitations: viewing problems
timing with classroom lessons
 misconceptions about time, size, and
ideas
 Exhibits

 present objects or processes otherwise

impossible inside the classroom
 exposure to new ideas, discoveries, inventions
 problems that may be encountered:
too little space
time – consuming
maintenance
 Demonstrations

 visualized explanation of an important fact or idea or

process

 may require nothing more than observation or

students may be asked to do what has just been
shown how to do

 Disadvantages: ideas or processes might not be

interpreted or conceived very well
visibility to all learners
 Fieldtrips

 undertaken primarily for the purpose of experiencing

something that cannot be encountered within the
classroom

 a rich experience in learning about objects, systems,

and situations

 Disadvantages: time-consuming expensive high

exposure to danger /accidents
inadequacy of the community’s
resources
 Dramatized Experience
 help get closer to certain realities that are no
longer available at first hand
 stirring and attention getting
 participant learns to understand intimately
the character he portrays
 teaches cooperative work
 Disadvantages: time consuming without
commensurate results
participation is limited to few
individuals
 Contrived Experience

 an “editing” of reality

 substitutes for confusing or unmanageable first – hand

experiences

 easier to handle, manipulate or operate

 Disadvantages:
simplification leads to misconceptions, distorted
views, and incomplete pictures of reality no freedom to
handle expensive or fragile models, mock – ups,
specimens, etc.
Direct and Purposeful Experience

 unabridged version of life itself

 direct participation with responsibility for the
outcome
 the basis for the most effective and lasting
learning
 Disadvantage: not all things can be learned through
direct, first hand experiencing
Pie Graph on Senses and
Perception
Pie Graph on Senses and Perception
1.5%
Sight
3.5% 1.5%
Sound

Smell

11% Touch

Taste

83%
 Retention Rate Levels

 Learning is an active process. Retention level

practically increases as students are actively involve in
various learning activities.

 Researchers found out that the most effective

approaches – resulting in 75% and 90% retention rates,
respectively – are learning by doing and learning by
teaching others
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Hearing
Saying
Hearing Saying
Seeing 70%
and Doing
Hearing 30% Seeing 90%
Reading 20% 50%
10%

What I hear, I forget.

What I see, I remember.
What I do, I understand