Unlocking the Power of Experiential Learning: Transformative Benefits for Personal and Professional Growth

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” — Aristotle, in Nichomachean Ethics 

We started our journey in 2009; and it was in the year 2012 that we at Parivartan Corporate Training Academy started toying with the idea of shifting from traditional training methodology to experiential learning. We hosted our first experiential session with EXL Service, while it was still in the nascent stages. However, we got good feedback from the client and trainees - some of whom are still in touch with us. Over the next few years, we kept enhancing and innovating to develop our unique methodology of experiential learning. Experiential learning is often considered superior to traditional training methods because it actively engages learners in practical experiences, allowing them to acquire knowledge, skills, and insights through firsthand involvement and reflection. Here are a few reasons why experiential learning is often regarded as more effective:

1. Active engagement: Experiential learning encourages active participation and engagement from learners. Instead of passively receiving information, learners are actively involved in activities, simulations, or real-life scenarios. This active engagement enhances learning retention and application of knowledge.
2. Authenticity: Experiential learning provides an authentic and realistic environment for learners to practice and apply their skills. By simulating real-world situations or allowing learners to engage in real-life scenarios, they gain practical experience and develop problem-solving skills that can be directly transferred to their professional or personal lives.
3. Meaningful learning: Experiential learning connects theory with practice, making the learning process more meaningful and relevant. Learners understand the purpose behind what they are learning, which increases their motivation and engagement. They can see the immediate impact and relevance of the concepts they are exploring.
4. Emotional connection: Experiential learning often elicits emotional responses from learners due to the immersive nature of the experiences. These emotional connections enhance the learning process by creating stronger neural connections and facilitating long-term memory retention.
5. Collaboration and teamwork: Experiential learning frequently involves collaboration and teamwork, allowing learners to develop essential interpersonal skills. By working together to solve problems or complete tasks, learners learn to communicate effectively, manage conflicts, and appreciate diverse perspectives.
6. Reflection and feedback: Experiential learning encourages reflection on the experiences, enabling learners to analyse their actions, outcomes, and areas for improvement. This reflective process enhances critical thinking and self-awareness. Additionally, feedback from peers, superiors, or mentors provides valuable insights for learners to refine their skills.
7. Transferable skills: Experiential learning focuses on developing transferable skills that can be applied in various contexts. Rather than solely focusing on rote memorisation of facts or procedures, learners develop problem-solving, adaptability, creativity, and communication skills that are applicable in different situations.
8. Long-term impact: Experiential learning has a lasting impact on learners. By engaging multiple senses and providing real-life experiences, it creates memorable learning moments that are more likely to be retained over time. The skills and knowledge gained through experiential learning are often more deeply ingrained and readily accessible when needed.

We still believe that traditional training methods have their place and can be effective in certain situations; however, experiential learning offers a more immersive, engaging, and impactful approach that promotes active learning, critical thinking, and skill development.

One of the biggest challenges that we faced in Kerala market (that is where we started off) was to make our clients and trainees accept this new way of coaching. Since childhood, we Indians have been habituated to the ‘spoon-feeding’ method of learning; so, it was an uphill task to make the trainees accept this technique of self-learning and to convince the management about the training outcome. However, over a period of time, we have managed to create valuable clients who believe in our methodology even in the tougher Kerala market.

Today we have expanded to larger markets, and it is a delight to see our methodology being appreciated in a big way. Even with AI based trainings being actively implemented in technical and process trainings; I still feel soft skill training which deals with People Skills yields best result when conducted face-to-face and more so when it is hosted experientially.