Adventures in India

We all learn from experience. What is novel about experiential learning programmes ? Honestly, nothing much, except:

The intention to learn from analyzing our observations about ourselves. It is this intention stated when specifically as a purpose that lends weight to our actions, observations and the learnings we keep for life.

Nature of experience . The experiences are designed to be very specific in terms of feedback. There are no (or minimum) external elements that can play the 'fate' or 'luck' factor and the results reflect o­n the actions. These actions can now form a credible basis for discussion.

Structure of activity . Activities can be designed to require specific skills. Of course, actual action depends o­n all skills an individual possesses or lacks, but they can be compared objectively o­n the basis of observations. Each desired skill can be isolated and a strategy for its development can thus be formed.

Nature of activities . The activities are easy and specific tasks that offer great enjoyment in the execution, and lend stickiness to learnings due to enjoyable associations in the mind. The variety of practical experiences for each learning also encourages flexibility and versatility in application.

Facilitation Skills . A facilitator participates in the discussions as an aid to learning. His role is to keep the discussions to a constructive direction, identifying key points and highlighting them, making observations from an observer's perspective, and ensuring that there is a process to the learning that can be applied repeatedly.

Neutral Environment . A neutral environment and unfamiliar assignments put everyone at the same level and minimize pre-structured methods of approaching situations. This creates space for new methods to be consciously formed and tested in the activities that follow.

Article by Vidyut