Why Is Experiential Learning Worth the Hype?

One fine brunch time, I stumbled upon a TEDx video on experiential learning by Edward Cooke. The entrepreneur and author cited the fact that while learning a new language, a person picks up three new words per hour. But, the speed of learning doubles once a person gets immersed in the culture of the language, learns as the natives speak, and hears folklore played after every block!

Experiential learning describes the whole process of learning by doing. Now, why did I stick to the video for the entire 15 minutes? 

Read on!

Experiential Learning in the Picture

Ed and his team experimented with different experiential learning methods to study a foreign language and its culture. The entire video stressed the importance of experiential learning and how the hands-on training method enables an individual to learn and apply at the same time. This form of learning is now practiced from Harvard to every institution that deals with “developing people.” And, even I believe in the same. 

Over the past few years, I observed workplaces loaded with responsibilities and goal-oriented hard work. Due to this, firms often miss out on training their people and upscaling the skill set of the workforce. When experiential training gets in the picture, firms and their workforces get the space to learn and grow. It helps every individual develop knowledge and abilities, not just through study modules, but with the scope to practice in the real world.

Applying Experiential Learning in the Workplace

CEOs today understand that investing in training employees triggers them to realize that their company is putting effort into skill-set development. In return, the employees reciprocate by prioritizing the company’s vision and working to deliver results that are aligned with the same.

To infuse experiential learning with training, firms should identify suitable training methods such as job rotation, simulation, or roleplays. When employees get familiar with such a unique coaching approach, they grasp information more quickly and figure out ways to put them into practice and add value to their career growth.

In case of a customer service department struggling with a low conversion over calls, roleplay can help. It allows employees to learn how to build rapport, negotiate, handle objections, and apply presence of mind while closing sales. 

Experiential training methods should be expanded within a company, and every department should come up with its own set of training techniques to help employees develop a certain skill. It leads to a win-win for both the employee and firm – while the employees get better equipped to accomplish their goals, the firm stands to boast more efficient resources.

The Perk It Brings

Research showed that 68% of employees with experiential training retain their learning and apply it to work, resulting in higher productivity. Among different post-training benefits, the foremost is enhanced employee engagement. 

When employees “practice while learning,” they create strong memories by incorporating multiple senses and emotional connections. They get the freedom to gain insight in their own way as they pick up a new skill through self-directed learning and self-analysis.

The training sessions pass over complete control in the hands of the employees to put their learning into their daily chores. Once they start seeing the output, they become even more engaged learners and get into the cycle of personal development.

Moreover, they feel motivated to work for an organization that offers them opportunities to move ahead professionally.

Conclusion

Today, CEOs and top leaders promote experiential learning. They very well understand that it is one of the key requirements for their workforce to “skill-up” in order to succeed in the business world. As a result, I decided to bring experiential learning into the training programs of my firm as well.

How have you introduced it in your firm? Let’s open up a discussion.