Kolb Learning Cycle & Change
David Kolb produced this popular model for learning in 1984. The model suggests four stages of learning which most learners go through in order to learn effectively. Leaming is itself a process of change. Something is added to our perception and prepared us for the next impression, which will change our understanding yet more, however minutely. The Kolb contribution is a significant one because it practically equates change and learning.
Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning
David Kolb's from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio gave the model of "experiential learning" which states that humans learn continually, and, in the process, build particular strengths. He says that learning is all about having experiences and then reflects upon the experience that we have just had. We draw out some concepts and some principles from this reflection and test out the new concepts in new situations so that they become part of the ongoing experience. He described it in terms of four learning styles: Accommodating, Converging, Diverging, and Assimilating.
Kolb’s Living Experience
Kold is also a supporter of the theme of human becoming and what they become. He uses the word 'learning', and all these ideas come together and form a framework within which we can think about change and even learn to love it and welcome it. Laming is itself a process of change. Something is added to our perception and prepared us for the next impression, which will change our understanding yet more, however minutely.
What David Kolb is talking about is the normal scientific approach, where observations made are the normal scientific approach, where observations are made and reflected upon to yield theories from which hypotheses are derived and tested out in action, creating new events and experiences.
The first stage is concrete learning or concrete experience, where the learner encounters a new experience or reinterprets an existing experience. This could be where the learner is exposed to a new task or a new way of carrying out a project. This is followed by reflective observation, where the learner reflects on the experience on a personal basis. Following reflective observation is abstract conceptualization, where learners form new ideas or modify current abstract ideas, based on the reflections that arise from the reflective observation stage. The last stage is where the learner applies the new ideas to her surroundings to see if there are any modifications in the next appearance of the experience. By actively experimenting learns to associate what we have experienced with new ideas and innovations.
Change is learning
When you learn, you change. When you change, you learn. The Kolb contribution is a significant one because it practically equates change and learning. A book on change is therefore also a book about learning. Reginald Revans (1907–2003), a UK scientist and educational innovator who gave the “Action Laming framework” made a distinction with two little symbols L>C and C>L. If learning is represented by L and change represented by C then the first symbol means you are ahead in the game you are learning faster than things change. The second can spell disaster because things are changing faster than you are learning so that you are behind in the race. His contribution to our understanding of change management processes gives a central place to learning, both personal and institutional. Revans’ approach emphasizes the practical and moral significance of personal involvement in action and learning, as a means of resolving the intractable social and organizational problems that we find around us.
Revans is in harmony with Kolb in that his contribution of Action Learning is based on the concept that people learn more from reflection, discussion, and working together on real-life issues than from being lectured at. They learn from each other and the learning is relevant, and even when the classroom is being used for input, it is important to provide plenty of scope for learning in this way.
For a change initiative to succeed, project managers must effectively support those affected by the change during the project. Those grappling with the effects of change might need the training to tackle it effectively and we can use this framework to train people with different learning styles; to plan change communications; and to deal with team members who lack motivation; and more.
These perceptions of what is to be human can help us to take a positive approach to change and make it work to our advantage and to that of our enterprise. You are only really alive when you are changing. It is the essence of personal growth, it is the basis of relationships with other people, and without it, there is no learning and no progress.
Related Links
You May Also Like
-
Reasons behind Wastage of Time
Under-utilization of time may be due to the faulty system or faults of manager/officer/leader or due to lack of planning. There could be many factors driving the procrastination behavior like system issues, personal work habits, and lack of delegation, personality traits, and bad working habits of the leader, failure to tackle interpersonal conflicts, obstacles, and lack of far-sightedness.
-
Creating Highly Effective Teams
How do we create effective teams? What comes to mind when you think about an effective team? High performing teams exhibit accountability, purpose, cohesiveness, and collaboration. It is a team that works seamlessly as a whole. Everyone brings unique talents and strengths and support each other to bring out the best in everyone. How do you create one?
-
David Kolb produced this popular model for learning in 1984. The model suggests four stages of learning which most learners go through in order to learn effectively. Leaming is itself a process of change. Something is added to our perception and prepared us for the next impression, which will change our understanding yet more, however minutely. The Kolb contribution is a significant one because it practically equates change and learning.
-
Charles Darwin had once commented that “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” Agility means the capability of rapidly and efficiently adapting to changes and recently, agility has been applied in the context of software development, agile enterprise, and agile leadership. Agile leaders play an important, even essential, role in scaling agility in an organization. Understand how being an agile leader helps in effectively catalyzing organizational change.
-
Generating Ideas using Brainstorming
The brainstorming technique was developed by Alex F. Osborn in 1957 and brainstorming means where a team of members generates a large amount of alternative fruitful ideas on a specific problem without any criticism and then evaluates each idea in terms of their pros and cons. Brainstorming techniques fall into four broad categories: visioning, exploring, modifying, and experimenting.
-
Stress is a product of the busyness of modern life. It has assumed grave dimensions ever since the emergence of industrialism. In fact, stress is a natural, ongoing, dynamic, and interactive process that takes place as people adjust to their environment. Stress can be brought about by positive or negative life events. Distress can cause disease and eustress or positive stress can promote wellbeing and increased productivity. Learn to recognize and be responsible for your stress, and learn the ways to manage stress.
-
Thinking & Problem Solving Skills
Today's dynamic business world demands that you make decisions that significantly boost productivity and drive competitive advantage. But how do you know whether a decision will benefit the organization? And how do you know that the decisions are based on rational and statistical reasoning? Explore how to become a dynamic problem solver with the skills to make accurate decisions.
-
Productivity is defined not in terms of the number of goods produced, but in terms of value-added per employee. Customers don’t really buy goods and services but in fact, they buy a value - something they value. The future is all about tangible products fulfilling intangible needs. Ideas like this can transform a business and provide them a competitive advantage to thrive in the future.
-
Crisis leadership is a very important part of leading in today's world. The skills a leader needs in order to guide people during a crisis are different from the skills needed to help a group grow. Are you a good crisis leader? What is your leadership style in case of a business crisis situation? A business crisis can test the strongest of leaders, read this article to explore how to ensure you’re ready to take action and weather the storm when one strikes you.
-
We define Lean as the systematic elimination of waste through a continual effort to decrease inefficiency; the lean leader strives to create a more efficient organization. Lean leadership is a philosophy. It is a consistent way of thinking and being in your role as a leader. The focus of this approach is on raising new leaders and help their team embrace a culture of continuous improvement. Learn what we mean by lean leadership style and its principles.
