Kai Smith

MUED 273

Due: Feb 14, 2017

Kolb Learning Theory

Theorist: David Kolb (1939- )

Summary: David Kolbs model of experiential learning can be broken down into

2 separate parts, the Experiential Learning Cycle and the 4 Learning Styles.

In Kolbs Experiential Learning Cycle, Kolb states that learning

is the process where knowledge is created through the reflection and analysis of

experience. In Kolbs cycle, students will learn through the repetitions between 4

different stages, Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract

Conceptualization, Active Experimentation.

In the Concrete Experience stage, students will encounter a

new experience or a new interpretation of a common idea.

This then leads to the Reflective Observation stage where

students are forced to come face-to-face with the new

experience and distinguish how this new idea is different from

what the student has experienced in the past. Then, this

reflection allows the student to come up with a hypothesis

that could potentially explain the new idea. Finally, in the Active Experimentation stage, students test their

hypothesis and the cycle continues. Kolb believes that for effective learning, a student must progress through

these 4 stages and no single stage is more important or more effective than another.

The second part of Kolbs Learning Theory are the 4 Learning Styles. Kolb states that different people

prefer different learning styles which lie to 2 axis. The east-west axis is called the Processing Continuum (how

we approach a task), and the north-south axis is called the Perception Continuum (our emotional response, or how

we think or feel about it).

Diverging These people are imaginative and can views problems from multiple different angles. They can be

very artistic, tend to work really well in groups, and has an open mind for feedback.

Assimilating People with an assimilating learning style are less focused on people and more interested in ideas

and abstract concepts. People with this style are more attracted to logically sound theories than approaches based on

practical value.

Converging People with a converging learning style can solve problems and will use their learning to find

solutions to practical issues.

Accommodating The Accommodating learning style is 'hands-on', and relies on intuition rather than logic. They

are attracted to new challenges and experiences, and to carrying out plans.

For me, I think this learning theory could easily be applied into music classrooms as well as any general

classroom. This would be a great theory a teacher could use to make sure that their lesson plans can engage with

students from all 4 learning styles. This would also be great if the teacher ever needed to form groups, the teacher

could group students from the different learning styles (or group similar learning styles) to help the groups come up

with different approaches a problem. My only problem with the Kolb Learning Cycle being applied in the music

classroom and other classrooms is that there is not way for a teacher to regulate or to enforce students to go through

all 4 stages. The teacher can suggest this to the students by teaching new topics and having them keep a reflective

journal but I have trouble seeing how teachers can formally assess how students progress through these stages.