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Foundations of Experiential Theory CREATE-LEARNING-Team Building is built on John Dewey’s philosophy, an integral part of many experiential education programs. His words offer the foundation for facilitation:
It is [the educators] business to arrange for the kind of experiences which…promote having desirable future experiences…When education is based on experiences and educative experience is seen to be a social process, the situation changes radically. The teacher loses the position of external boss or dictator but takes on that of leader [facilitator] of the group activities…It thus becomes the office of the educator to select those things within the range of existing experiences that have the promise and potentiality of presenting new problems which by stimulating new ways of observation and judgment will expand the area of future experiences.1
Dewey speaks of “stimulating new ways of observation and judgment” which is the path of reflection. Today, reflection is also known as processing, debriefing, or reviewing. No matter what we choose to call it, taking the time to “look back” on an experience and talk about it, and contemplate the implications on future experiences is the difference between recreation and experiential education.
Referenced:
Chris Cavert, Personal Foundations of Experiential Education. (2007). In More the Merrier (1 ed., United States: pp. 5-6). DW.
1 Quotes from 1963 Collier Books Edition of, Experience & Education by John Dewey, pp. 27, 59, and 75 respectively
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