David A. Kolb 

Understanding Kolb and Cognitive Constructivism

Cognitive constructivism is a theory of learning that highlights how we build our own understanding of the world based on our experiences. One key figure in this area is David Kolb, who developed a model that helps explain how we learn from these experiences.

What is Cognitive Constructivism?

Cognitive constructivism suggests that learning is an active process where learners create knowledge rather than just receiving information. This means that each person constructs their own understanding, which can be based on personal experiences, prior knowledge, and the context in which they’re learning.

Key Concepts of Cognitive Constructivism

  1. Active Learning: Learning is something we do, not something that is done to us. Instead of passively listening or reading, we need to engage with the material through activities, discussions, and problem-solving.
  2. Knowledge Construction: Each student brings their own experiences to the learning process. This is often referred to as a “mental framework” that shapes how we understand new ideas.
  3. Social Interaction: Engaging with others is essential. Discussions with peers can lead to new insights and deeper understanding.

Kolb’s Learning Cycle

David Kolb proposed a Learning Cycle that illustrates how we learn from our experiences.

The Four Stages of Kolb’s Learning Cycle

  1. Concrete Experience: This is when you do something and have a direct experience. For example, conducting a science experiment.
  2. Reflective Observation: After the experience, you think about what happened. Why did it go well or not? For instance, you may reflect on what worked during the experiment and what didn’t.
  3. Abstract Conceptualisation: Here, you form theories or ideas based on your reflections. You could think about what the results of the experiment mean scientifically or how you could change your approach for next time.
  4. Active Experimentation: Finally, you test your new ideas in a different situation. If your experiment didn’t work, you might try another one with a modified hypothesis based on your reflections.

Example in Practice

Imagine a Year 13 Biology class where you’re learning about genetics.

  1. In the Concrete Experience stage, you might conduct a lab experiment using fruit flies to observe genetic traits.
  2. In the Reflective Observation stage, you discuss your results with classmates. Maybe some of the expected traits didn’t show up as predicted.
  3. In the Abstract Conceptualisation stage, you think about the reasons for these outcomes. Perhaps you consider the effect of the environment on gene expression.
  4. Finally, in the Active Experimentation stage, you propose a new experiment to test a different variable, like temperature, on the same traits.

Hands-On Activity to Reinforce Understanding

To put Kolb’s Learning Cycle into practice, you could create a project-based learning activity:

Activity: “Create Your Own Experiment”

  1. Concrete Experience: Choose a topic you’re interested in (like plants, economics, or psychology) and design a small experiment or survey to gather data.
  2. Reflective Observation: Once you gather your data, write a reflection about what you observed, any surprises, and what you thought would happen versus what actually happened.
  3. Abstract Conceptualisation: Develop a hypothesis or conclusion based on your reflections. What could your results mean? How could this relate to theories you’ve learned about?
  4. Active Experimentation: Share your findings with the class, discuss your conclusions, and consider ways to improve the experiment for next time.

Conclusion

Understanding Kolb’s Learning Cycle and cognitive constructivism can massively enhance learning. By engaging in active and reflective practices, builds valuable skills for critical thinking and problem-solving in real life. Remember, learning is a journey we take together, and the more we engage with our experiences, the deeper our understanding becomes!