Experiential learning tools to enable participants to get hands-on experience with concepts

On this page we will be looking at Experiential learning tools to enable participants to get hands-on experience with concepts. All of this site is about one kind of tool - games. On this page and its connecting pages though we will look at other tools. The tools that we will be looking at are:

• Materials
• Hand Signals
• Role Plays
• Inventories
• Handouts
• Stories
• Real-life experiences and cases about them

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Refer to the Training Games page for some basic rules on facilitation

Other than games trainers also use other tools to provide experiential learning to participants. On this page we will examine some of them and their meanings

Let's now look at the first of the experiential learning tools.

Experiential Learning Tool 1: 'Materials'

Materials are things that you use like 'realia' or paper cut-outs to use in games. They could be flash cards, color coded cards, pens, stationery items etc. 

For instance one could cut out geometrical shapes in red, green and amber. A set could be handed to each participant which they can use to indicate their opinion in a True/False/Not Sure activity. These activities serve very well as feedback to the trainer/facilitator.

Experiential Learning Tool 3: 'Role-plays'.

Role-plays are small two-three minute plays that the trainer uses to either highlight the current situation or to practice a skill that has been learned. Generally they involve a few lines describing a situation.

This description is given to participants for them to read, understand and represent it as a small drama. Role plays can be used to process learning at different levels of complexity.

They can be used to help participant to identify a concept, or use a certain skill learned during the training. Sometimes it is used to help participants discover themselves. The last kind require some intense work with the participants in terms of debrief.

Experiential Learning Tool 4: 'Inventories'.

Inventories are standardised tools that are mainly used by trainers to provide opportunities for self discovery and reflection.

The pariticipants can use these opportunities to assess their attitudes, skills and knowledge in areas relevant to the training.

Inventories help the participants focus their learning efforts towards bridging the gaps revealed by inventories. The factors in the inventory also becomes a checklist to check against as they progress on the learning curve.

Thers are inentories for learning styles, listening, leadership styles, supervisory attitudes, emotional awareness etc to name a few.

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Experiential Learning Tool 5: 'Handouts'.

Handouts are reading material provided to participants during the course of the training. The handouts serve the purpose of provoking the participants to think differently. What better way to do this than through excerpts from experts.

Handouts also serve as reminders after trainings are over. They outline major concepts and their main details.

Handouts provide trainers the flexibility of providing reading during training as well as make this a short exercise of a couple of minutes. They are a pleasant change from just listening to lectures.

Some handouts motivate, while others help summarise and provide opprtunities for reflection

Experiential Learning Tool 6: 'Stories'.

Stories are a great way of providing short vicarious instances of somebody else's experience.

They are priceless when it comes to communicating concepts in a few words. At the same time they allow the trainer to bring home the most important learning point.

Stories are a great way of keeping participants enthralled with the spoken word and at the same time using it as a learning opportunity.

Stories like games are never forgotten and make learning a permanent feature. This is especially true when the trainer is faced with a shortage of time and he cannot use other experiential learning tools that are mentioned above. For other categories of training games go to the Training games page and follow the links.

If you would like to know more about team games go to the Contact Us page.

Also get a monthly e-zine 'Stories for EL' free for stories that you can use to emphasise experiential learning. Stories and their lessons are easily remembered.

They can also be used to communicate a concept effectively. They add the 'aha' or 'Eureka' or 'got it' factor to presentations and lectures. They are great tools to use in debriefs of games, to drive home a crucial point.

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