Adult Learning Process

Learning process - how new information is

taken in and processed
• Kolb and Fry developed a way of looking at the adult
learning process called the Experiential Learning Cycle.
• Learning is the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and
attitudes.
• Learning is seen as happening in a cycle made up of four
stages:
1. concrete experience,
2. reflective observation,
3. abstract conceptualization, and
4. active experimentation
• To put it simply, first the learner must experience
something directly - concrete experience.

• Next the learner reflects on the experience, comparing

it to what s/he already knows - reflective observation

• . The learner then thinks about his or her observations

and develops some new ideas about how things work -
abstract conceptualization

• Finally, the learner acts on what has been observed and

thought about - active experimentation.
LEARNING PROCESS
• . The active experimentation stage then
becomes the basis of future learning.
Complete learning happens when learner
moves through all four stages and the new
knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes become
the basis for new behaviour.
 How to apply the learning cycle to a training and development activity

• EXAMPLE -
• You decide that as part of your employee
training program you are going to offer
coaching on handling angry clients. How
would the experiential learning cycle apply?
• Experience
You could present some content on the steps in
handling angry people, followed by a demonstration.
• Reflect
The learners could be asked to discuss the
information provided - what did they observe in the
demonstration, how do the steps in handling an
angry client compare to their current way of coping
with such situations.
• Think
The learners then might be asked to think
about how they can use the information
provided to improve the way they deal with
angry clients.
• Apply
Finally the learners would do a simulation to
practice handling angry clients.
 Learning style - the way adults prefer to learn

• David Kolb developed a Learning Style Inventory

that is frequently used to identify an individual's
preferred way of learning.

• Kolb's inventory looks at how adults perceive and

process information.

• Kolb identifies two ways in which learners take in

new information.
 How adults perceive
• Some individuals prefer real life experiences and examples -
concrete experiences.
• Others like new information to be given in the form of
models or ideas - abstract conceptualization
• How adults process
• Once the information is taken in some individuals will prefer
to process that information by doing something with it -
active experimentation.
• Others will prefer to observe what is going on and reflect on
information - reflective observation
 Learning style based on the learner's
preference
The visual learner prefers colorful material filled
with charts, diagrams, and pictures to support the
rest of the presentation.
Auditory learners prefer to listen to presentations and
explanations, and then talk through the concepts
with others.
A kinesthetic learner (tactile learner) prefers to learn
new material by hands-on activity. They will learn
best when in motion - doing, writing, drawing, and
walking around.
 Emergent Trends
Three trends in the study of adult learning that have
emerged during the 1990's, and that promise to exercise
some influence into the twenty first century, concern

(1) cross-cultural dimensions of adult learning,

(2) adults' engagement in practical theorizing, and

(3) distance education, computer assisted instruction,

open learning systems that are linked to recent
technological advances.