Step 6: Decide how best to support experiential learning

The new learning architect
Over the past year we have been publishing extracts from The New Learning Architect. We continue with the seventh part of chapter 11:
You don’t have to make a conscious decision to support experiential learning, as it will happen naturally as a matter of course. Having said that, there is much you can do encourage this form of learning through targeted interventions.
Experiential learning will flourish when:

  • essential skills and knowledge have already been acquired through other formal and non-formal approaches;
  • practical experience is critical to the process of refining and consolidating skills and knowledge;
  • employees are motivated to take on greater responsibility or broaden their experience;
  • the organisation is committed to a culture of continuous improvement and not of blame.

Top-down approaches such as benchmarking, job rotation, job enrichment, project reviews, performance appraisals, action learning, continuous improvement will all serve to promote and encourage experiential learning. Bottom-up activities, such as personal reflection, reflecting with others, blogging and learning from out-of-work activities, will all flourish in any culture that genuinely supports learning and development.
Coming next: Step 7: Implement and evaluate
Return to Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10
Obtain your copy of The New Learning Architect