With lesser time spent face-to-face in light of the pandemic, one wonders whether online classes can substitute for the experiential learning that used to take place between in-person teachers/experts and students/learners
Case based learning is an experimental learning.
But
All Experimental learning are not necessarily case based.
I explain:
Case based learning are highly needed and are the practical learning in some areas like Law, auditing etc.
But for branches like Physics , Chemistry , there is no case based study as such.
For these branches , the Laboratory Experiments are the practical studies.
For Engineering branches like, mechanical, Civil, Electrical and many other branches there are need for laboratory based practical studies as well as case based studies.
I think the difference will be clear from the discussion.
If any query , please tell me . I will try my best to make the difference clearer.
Thanks
N Das
Experiential learning is a kind of learning that takes place by sharing lived experience of the participants where as case based learning is going deep into a specific case. The two may some times overlap but mainly they are different!
To my mind, experiential learning is putting experience and knowledge into practice and then reflecting on it.
An example, students learn something 'in class' theoretically, best followed by a discussion, including knowledge exchange between students. Teacher can add more information only if necessary. Online this can also be done. Students are divided into small groups and discuss within a given time or set up forums.
Where possible this should be followed by a more concrete task, a case study, a scenario to which they identify and apply new information to, or physically making or designing something - all that is practical application.
In discussion and other tasks, the student is involved through social learning or individual, and applies the information input (possibility theory).
It gives them a chance to practice and even better share.
Kolb's theory of experiential learning can be described as 'knowledge created by transforming experience' Reflecting is the next step, the consolidation of knowledge. Ask students to think about what they've learnt and write it down in a journal or blog form. It can be for themselves only or for you as the teacher also to monitor their learning journey. This process also often triggers in them other ways of using their new experience and knowledge.
Experiential learning uses the hands-on approach where learners are exposed to real life situation. They generate knowledge through interaction with the environment basing on real life experiences.
Experiential learning is more practical - learning by doing.
Case based learning involves studying a certain scenario.
Practical training is successfully implemented through a combination of inverted and collaborative learning technologies. First, students are given compact background information about the problem. Then you need to give them individual (personal) tasks on this problem, united by a single method, and give them the opportunity to freely interact with each other. Experience shows that virtual collaboration groups are formed around the best student leaders. After completing and correcting the tasks, you need to return to the theoretical part of the course, expanding and refining the material based on the practical experience gained.
In my opinion, Online classes can never be a substitute for experimental learning because experimental learning is 'learning through real time practice' which is less possible in case of online education.
Even before this pivot to more online learning took place, I relied on case-based learning to augment actual experiential learning. I do not think you can just present a case study to students and expect them to intuitively learn from the content. They need to have the context and the rationale provided, explained, discussed, and other personal experiences shared in order for them to comprehend what has been set out in front of them.
Setting up a scenario or case and utilizing other student's experiences to showcase reality also supports experiential learning for those students who have no or limited experience. Students can question peers and discuss and debate the experiences and choices made, which makes for a deeper understanding of the material.
Regardless of the approach, the facilitator still has to provide theory and guidance as the students process the case and apply the learnings to real-world situations.
I don't think the mode of delivery makes learning experiential. The learners need to get hands-on experience at what ever they learn. As Abisha Meji Milon has put it experiential learning is learning through real life time practice. Experiential learning depends on the nature of the activities students are engaged in irrespective of the mode of delivery.
https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/4-4-models-for-teaching-by-doing/
Please refer to my presentation at Research Publication Based on Experiential Learning, Manuskrip Ilmiah...
Shian-Loong Bernard Lew Excellent discussion question. I agree with what colleagues responded , ie EL is action and interaction-driven, usually rooted in needs identified by the community, industry or govt partner. It can be online, as we’ve seen during the pandemic.
Case based learning has more structured features as to what constitues a ‘case’, the background contextual research needed, etc. It can be a form of EL.
All the best with your work !
EOC
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