chapter 4 - personal skills

Question 1

Joplin’s 8 characteristics associated with experiential processes in educational environments

Answer 1

1. Learning is student based rather than teacher based, beginning with students current knowledge.
2. Learner is as valued as the subject
3. The process of learning is valued as well as the product. Students ideas, developments and work strategies are evaluated
4. Students are encouraged to monitor their own learning and self-evaluate.
5. The complexity of the situation is analysed
6. Courses are organized around student experience
7. Learning begins with the students perception of skills rather than a theoretical base. They learn to justify and explain their learning rather than recite information
8. Individual’s growth and development of self-awareness is emphasized. Their relationships and roles within the group are monitored

Question 2

similarities between Kolb’s and Joplin’s

Answer 2

Both models express the view that experiential learning involves a direct encounter with the topic being studied rather than merely thinking about topic.

Both models view that the learning process often begins with a person carrying out a particular action and then seeing the effect of the action in this situation

Both models should be approached as a continuous cycle.

Both models express the view that experiential learning is undertaken by students who are given the chance to acquire and apply knowledge, skills and feelings in an immediate and relevant setting

Kolb’s and Joplin’s models assist the learner in the following ways:
- Helps them understand what happened during an activity
- Helps them understand whether a person’s skills, behaviour and strategies were effective and relevant
- Helps identify what changes are needed if the experience occurs again
- Helps identify what a student has learned by taking part in an activity
- Builds confidence in their own skills and experience
- Enables new skills to be gained and reflected on

Question 3

differences between Kolb’s and Joplin’s

Answer 3

Joplin’s model has 5 stages where as Kolb’s model has 4 stages

Kolb pays less attention to the process of reflection where as Joplin’s debrief stage addresses reflection more specifically

Joplin has a very distinct initial stage used to ‘focus’ on the experience that follows.

Joplin has two phases of outside support and feedback during the whole learning process, where as Kolb does not have these phases.

Kolb has a phase where the new understanding is then tested. This goes beyond the model presented by Joplin. This could occur in the next complete phase of a program in Joplin’s model or within a lap pf the hurricane spiral.

Kolb’s model is student centred, while Joplin’s model is designed to assist teachers in designing effective experiential learning activities.

Joplin’s is based around a program of work or activities over a longer period of time, while Kolb’s is from the learners perspective and can take from seconds to hours, days, months or even years between related learning events.

Kolb’s model allows for a learner to join the cycle at any point.

Question 4

personal skills

Answer 4

• time management
• flexibility
• monitoring
• commitment
• decision making

Question 5

tools and processes

Answer 5

• group/peer reflection
• questioning
• performance rating
• video