1. David A. Kolb Susan C. Felicia

2. Origin  Expanded upon earlier work by John Dewey and Kurt Levin, theorist David A. Kolb (born 1939) believes “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”(Kolb, 1984, p. 38).  Kolb hypothesized that individuals learn from their immediate experiences and that learning happens in all human settings (McEwen, p.391)

3. Description of Theory  Learner may begin at any stage, however, one stage must follow the other  Cyclical model of learning concrete experience (or “DO”) reflective observation (or “OBSERVE”) abstract conceptualization (or “THINK”) active experimentation (or “PLAN”) http://www.learningfromexperience.com/images/uploads/Tech_spec_LSI.pdf

4. Stages Defined  First stage, concrete experience (CE)  Actively experiences the activity  Second stage, reflective observation (RO)  Reflection on the experience  Third stage, abstract conceptualization (AC)  attempts to conceptualize a theory or model of what is observed  Fourth stage, active experimentation (AE)  plan how to test a model or theory http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html

5. Four Learning Styles  Corresponding learning styles enhance learner’s ability to learn  Assimilators (logical)  Convergers (practical)  Accommodators (hands 0n)  Divergers (observation) http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential-learning-kolb.html

6. Parallels to Nursing Education  Kolb’s four stages of learning correspond with adult education  “adults are self directed and problem centered and need to learn useful information” (Billings, 2009, p.193)  And the Teaching/Learning process  Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation (Billings, 2009, p.191)  All which parallel the nursing process

7. Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (LSI)  According to Kolb, two pair of polar opposites comprise the four stages  Concrete experiences(feeling) vs. abstract conceptualization (thinking)  Active experimentation (doing) vs. reflective observation (watching) (Billings, 2009, p.25)  Based on a study by Hauer et al. (2005) using Kolb’s LSI on nursing students perception of their learning styles, the primary learning style preference was that of concrete experience followed by reflective observation (Billings, 2009, p.25)

8. Nursing and Critical Thinking  Critical thinking is based first on acquired knowledge followed by the integration of experience associated with the knowledge  Integration of Kolb’s theory with critical thinking is evident by the association of the concrete experience with the reflective observation, continuing through the process of conceptualization and experimentation (practical application)

9. References Broussard, P. (2007). Learning Theories. In McEwen, M., Theoretical basis for nursing. (p.391). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Kolb, David A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development.(p.38). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Wellman, D. (2009).The diverse learning needs of students. In Billings, D. Teaching in nursing. (p.25-26). St. Louis, MI: Saunders.

10. References Vandeveer, M. From teaching to learning. In Billings, D. (2009).Teaching in nursing. (p.191-193).St. Louis, MI.: Saunders. Retrieved April 6, 2010: http://www.learning-theories.com/experiential- learning-kolb.html Retrieved April 6, 2010: http://www.learningfromexperience.com/images/uploa ds/Tech_spec_LSI.pdf