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Experiential learning, described as "the process whereby knowledge is created through a transformation of experience" (Kolb, 1984) is at the very heart of the CAS experience. David A. Kolb created his famous model out of four elements: concrete experience, observation and reflection, the formation of abstract concepts and testing in new situations.

He represented these in the famous experiential learning circle that involves **Concrete experience** followed by **Reflection** on that experience on a personal basis. This may then be followed by the derivation of general rules describing the experience, or the application of known theories to it (**Abstract Conceptualisation**), and hence to the construction of ways of modifying the next occurrence of the experience (**Active conceptualization**), leading in turn to the next **Concrete Experience.**

In short: Forming abstract à Concrete experience à Testing in new situation à Observation and reflection

OR :



a.  Concrete experience: being involved in a new experience. b.  Reflective observation: watching others or developing observations about one’s own experience. c.  Abstract conceptualization: creating theories to explain observations. d.  Active experimentation: using theories to solve problems and make decisions.

Another way of looking at the cycle is through this buissiness or improvement-orientated model developed by M Thompson and buisinessballs.com:



There are several ways by which various intellectuals have propagated Experiential Learning: According to: Confucius “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand”. Vernon Sanders Law “Experience is a Hard Teacher because She gives the Test first and the lesson afterwards”. Carl Rogers “Experience is, for me, the hightest authority. The touchstone of validity is my own experience. No other person’s ideas, and none of my own ideas, are as authoritative as my experience. It is to experience that I must return again and again, to discover a closer approximation to truth as it is in the process of becoming in me”.

For easy understanding we may look at the Principals of Experiential Learning by Jervis (2006). § Human being have a natural potentially to learn. § Significant learning occurs when the learner perceives the relevance of the subject matter. § Learning involves a change in self-organisation and self-perception. § Much significant learning is acquired by doing. § Learning is facilitated when the learner participates responsibly in the learning process. § Self-initiated learning involves the whole person. § Much socially useful learning is learning the process of learning and retaining an openness to experience so that the process of change may be incorporated into the self.

If the above concept/idea applied in the CAS, then we may say that there is an Experiential Learning Cycle with 3-stages involving CAS coordinator and learner.



CAS coordinator and learner together: § **Plan**: -  Consider goals -  Decide expected learning outcomes. -  Decide on activities to meet these goals. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> **Do**: - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Engaging activities. - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Self-directed learning. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> **Review**: - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Check effectiveness. - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Compare actual outcomes to expected outcomes. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> **Start the process again**: - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The review is new input for further planning.

With the above-stated points we can derive that students must have an **ATTITUDE** that: §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> They can affect change. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> There is a better way. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Opportunities are everywhere. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Embrace innovation, change and growth. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Failure is learning.

With the above-stated **attitude**, students must **BEHAVE** with: §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Pursue opportunities. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Innovate. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Persevere. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Risk management. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Tactics.

By the above-stated attitude and behavior, students will come up with **CREATIVITY:** §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Sensory output. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> See connections where they are not obvious. §<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Removing hurdles to perception that lead to a new awareness of reality.