Experiential Learning Approach to Teach Content Courses in an EFL Teacher Education Program

DOI

10.2991/ictte-17.2017.11How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Kolb's theory; experiential learning; classroom management; simulation

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of experiential learning approach in a four-credit Classroom Management course in an EFL teacher education program. There were 74 students participating in this study. The experiential learning cycle follows that of Kolb's theory which consists of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Real-class observations, reflection on the observation results, discussions on the emerging problems in the field, and simulations were the series of activities that students did. Data were collected from observations, documents, and student reflective notes. Results indicate that students show positive attitudes on the implementation of experiential learning. The students can relate what occurs in the field of an English class and what should occur in such a class. They make attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practices and reflect them for their own teaching simulation. The observation stage serves to activate their knowledge on classroom management and simulation becomes the final process of conceptualization of what they believe about managing a class. This study implies that experiential learning is beneficial for learners in such a way that they can connect abstract theories and concrete experiences through experimentation and reflection. Experiential learning gives opportunities to learners to synergize knowledge and environment while adapting and experiencing. From this point, students can re-construct their understanding based on the reflection process into a new understanding and re-start the experiential learning cycle. Several recommendations for further research are discussed.

Copyright

© 2017, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Ista Maharsi
PY  - 2017/10
DA  - 2017/10
TI  - Experiential Learning Approach to Teach Content Courses in an EFL Teacher Education Program
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Teacher Training and Education 2017 (ICTTE 2017)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 91
EP  - 101
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/ictte-17.2017.11
DO  - 10.2991/ictte-17.2017.11
ID  - Maharsi2017/10
ER  -