Experiential learning

Experiential learning and outdoor education have already for a long time caught my attention and interest. I think it can be used as a way to facilitate social learning processes, multi stakeholder processes and to help us build a social sustainable world.  

Experiential learning is an educational process based on action and reflection. Experiential learning and Outdoor education have become very valuable methods and are often used in various educational settings. Not only for management training, but also in leadership training, self development, character building and other courses this method is used. (Outing Holland)

Programs help participants learn from their experience, incorporating time and tools for personal observation and reflection. Activities such as backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, environmental education, journal work, and other self reflective exercises serve as vehicles for learning by example leadership and team skills.

Wilderness can be seen as a teacher: this requires passive leadership, soft skills and reflective activities. Soft skills activities include community cycles, group problem solving, reflection, solo activities, introspective writing (journal) evaluation, insights. Wilderness can also be used as a classroom: this requires a course leader, challenging adventures and hard skills activities like competition, vigorous exercise and (real or perceived) risk. (Hendee et al, 93)

Inspired by Educo, South Africa.