Experiential Learning

Learning can be experiential or passive. Experiential is far more effective but also more demanding. For example, communications (discussion, listening) can for the most part only be learned experientially. I've been part of lectures and motivational talks where much was said about listening and so far I have yet to see someone walk away saying, "wow from now on I will be a much better listener." Community is experiential learning. I have see people in community become better listener and thinkers (that is if it is a safe place were people are real with each other). It is the experience which will lead to a transformed person. For more on community click here

On the other hand I've been part of training where a company spent thousands of dollars to learn project management for the staff. For the most part every one seemed to be enthusiastic about learning and participating in the discussion. But after the training, it was a different story. No one ever mentioned the training and neither did the training become a reality for the company. It was a passive learning experience. Of course there were more reasons involved why the training did not become a reality.

In the Encarta® World English Dictionary experience is defined as: "Involvement in something over time: active involvement in an activity or exposure to events or people over a period of time that leads to an increase in knowledge or skill."