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Session Number 2739

Using Kolb's Cycle to Round Out Learning

David A. Wyrick, P.E., and Linda Hilsen Department of Industrial Engineering/Instructional Development Service University of Minnesota Duluth

Abstract. We have assessed the learning styles of industrial engineering students over a ten-year period. Using Kolb’s Cycle of Experiential Learning as a basis, we have identified that Industrial Engineering students tend to rely on abstract conceptualization and active experimentation as their preferred mode of processing information (or learning). This paper summarizes the findings of the research. The paper also offers recommendations for providing students with an opportunity to process information with concrete experience and reflective observation, thereby making them more well-rounded thinkers. Case studies from four undergraduate classes will demonstrate how this improves students’ abilities and provide valuable insights to engineering educators.

Kolb’s Cycle of Experiential Learning--A Theoretical Framework

David Kolb2 proposed in 1976 that people learn by going through a four-step cycle. He suggested that people learn by first having some sort of concrete experience, followed by reflectively observing what happened, then developing an abstract conceptualization, and ending with an active experimentation to verify the concept. An alternative definition of these steps is doing, thinking, modeling, and checking. This cycle is shown in Figure 1. More total learning occurs when each of these four steps occurs 5, 6.

It can be argued that learning can begin with any step of the process. Engineering, for example, is often taught by introducing a concept or model and assigning homework to reinforce the concept. In a course that has a lab component, the students can sometimes put the concept into

Concrete Experience (experiencing/feeling)

Active Experimentation Reflective Observation (applying/doing) (examining/watching)

Abstract Conceptualization (explaining/thinking)

Figure 1. Kolb’s Cycle of Experiential Learning

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Hilsen, L., & Wyrick, D. (2002, June), Using Kolb's Cycle To Round Out Learning Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10828