David A. Kolb

Susan C. Felicia

OriginExpanded upon earlier work by John Dewey

and Kurt Levin, theorist David A. Kolb (born 1939) believes “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”(Kolb, 1984, p. 38).

Kolb hypothesized that individuals learn from their immediate experiences and that learning happens in all human settings (McEwen, p.391)

Description of TheoryLearner may begin at any stage, however,

one stage must follow the otherCyclical model of learning

concrete experience (or “DO”) reflective observation (or “OBSERVE”) abstract conceptualization (or “THINK”) active experimentation (or “PLAN”)

http://www.learningfromexperience.com/images/uploads/Tech_spec_LSI.pdf

 

Stages Defined First stage, concrete experience (CE)

Actively experiences the activity Second stage, reflective observation (RO)

Reflection on the experienceThird stage, abstract conceptualization

(AC)attempts to conceptualize a theory or model of

what is observedFourth stage, active experimentation (AE)

plan how to test a model or theory

http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html

Four Learning StylesCorresponding learning styles enhance

learner’s ability to learnAssimilators (logical)Convergers (practical)Accommodators (hands 0n)Divergers (observation)

http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html

Parallels to Nursing EducationKolb’s four stages of learning correspond

with adult education“adults are self directed and problem

centered and need to learn useful information” (Billings, 2009, p.193)

And the Teaching/Learning processAssessment, planning, implementation and

evaluation (Billings, 2009, p.191)All which parallel the nursing process

Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (LSI)According to Kolb, two pair of polar opposites

comprise the four stagesConcrete experiences(feeling) vs. abstract

conceptualization (thinking) Active experimentation (doing) vs. reflective

observation (watching) (Billings, 2009, p.25)Based on a study by Hauer et al. (2005) using

Kolb’s LSI on nursing students perception of their learning styles, the primary learning style preference was that of concrete experience followed by reflective observation (Billings, 2009, p.25)

Nursing and Critical ThinkingCritical thinking is based first on acquired

knowledge followed by the integration of experience associated with the knowledge

Integration of Kolb’s theory with critical thinking is evident by the association of the concrete experience with the reflective observation, continuing through the process of conceptualization and experimentation (practical application)

ReferencesBroussard, P. (2007). Learning Theories. In

McEwen, M., Theoretical basis for nursing. (p.391). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Kolb, David A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development.(p.38). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Wellman, D. (2009).The diverse learning needs of students. In Billings, D. Teaching in nursing. (p.25-26). St. Louis, MI: Saunders.

ReferencesVandeveer, M. From teaching to learning. In

Billings, D. (2009).Teaching in nursing. (p.191-193).St. Louis, MI.: Saunders.

Retrieved April 6, 2010:http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-

learning-kolb.htmlRetrieved April 6, 2010:http://www.learningfromexperience.com/

images/uploads/Tech_spec_LSI.pdf