Experiential learning is an approach to education that emphasizes hands-on, practical experiences as a means of gaining knowledge and developing problem solving skills for students. Students have the chance to explore the learning process by experimenting and practicing critical thinking skills. This makes it easier for children to transfer what they’ve learned in different contexts.
This type of learning can take many forms, including internships, field trips, service learning, and project-based learning. At Kodely, our workshops touch on creative design and tech literacy and we set up our curriculum so students engage in hands-on design challenges that let them take ownership and play an active part in their learning.
These are a few reasons why we integrate experiential learning into our Kodely after school workshops and how we believe it can help build students’ confidence and skills in several ways.
Reasons to Include Experimental Learning into Kodely Workshop:
1.Active participation:
Experiential learning requires students to actively participate in their own learning. They are not just listening to lectures or reading textbooks but are actively engaging in the learning process. This active participation can help build confidence as students take ownership of their learning. At Kodely, active participation is exemplified by students setting up their own portfolio of projects by the end of the semester and learning how to approach solving design challenges on their own.
2. Real-world application:
Experiential learning often involves real-world situations or problems, which can help students see the relevance of what they are learning. When students see the practical applications of their learning, they are more likely to feel confident in their abilities and see the value of what they are learning. The Kodely curriculum includes real life skills for students by challenging them to connect their coding projects to real-world scenarios and problems.
3.Collaboration:
Experiential learning often involves working in groups or teams, which can help students develop communication and collaboration skills. As they work together to solve problems or complete projects, they learn to share ideas, listen to others, and work towards a common goal. This is an essential component of Kodely workshops. Students are always encouraged to support and learn from one another.
4.Feedback:
Experiential learning provides opportunities for students to receive feedback on their performance. Whether it’s feedback from a teacher, mentor, or peer, students can use this feedback to improve their skills and build confidence in their abilities. Feedback is integrated in the Kodely curriculum in multiple ways. Kodely Leaders provide students with feedback through guidance and support while learning challenging coding curriculum.
Students also offer each other feedback. Students are always encouraged to support their classmates and share the skills they have learned with others. It is always so rewarding to see classmates teach the Kodely curriculum to each other because this provides additional feedback to our Kodely Leaders that students are truly enjoying engaging with and learning the Kodely curriculum.
5. Reflection:
Experiential learning often includes time for reflection, where students can think about what they have learned and how they can apply it in the future. This reflection can help build self-awareness and confidence as students see how they have grown and developed over time. Reflection is a critical concluding step in the Kodely curriculum. We ensure that our students reflect on their learning and future goals at the end of our sessions.
Overall, experiential learning can be a powerful tool in building confidence and real life skills for students. By actively participating in their own learning, seeing the real-world applications of what they are learning, collaborating with others, receiving feedback, and reflecting on their experiences, students can develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.