Wilson et al.'s five functions of the adult educator committed to experiential approaches¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The paper reports that Wilson et al (1989) "suggest five main functions for the adult educator committed to experiential approaches to education": understanding the personal and social history of the individual; arranging the learning environment to promote experiential learning; preparing learners to engage with contradictory circumstances; creating and posing problems to be resolved; and facilitating dialogue and reflection on the learning experience. This role contrasts with the pedagogue who transmits content, and the paper uses it to define what facilitator-style trainers must do.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• The educator must relinquish the expert-lecture role and instead work as, in Stanley's words quoted in the paper, a procedural technician, resource person and co-enquirer

Constraints¶

• The paper notes trainers familiar with traditional didactic methods may find this role unfamiliar and resist relinquishing control

Target Learners¶

• adult learners in training programmes
• trainers of trainers

Target Learning Objectives¶

• experiential engagement with practice
• dialogue and reflection on learning experience

Claims¶

• Critics argue experiential learning's weaknesses lie in the reflective observation phase; the authors counter that trainers can develop observation skills [+W]
• The paper argues experiential training of early childhood workers is likely to produce reflective, creative caregivers and children who learn better [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Five-dimensional model of the adult educator with eight educator functions

Examples¶

• Enhancing the Skills of Early Childhood Trainers training pack

Key Sources¶

• Torkington, Kate. (1996). The Rationale for Experiential/Participatory Learning. Working Papers in Early Childhood Development 16. Bernard van Leer Foundation. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED392940