Carl Rogers Theory of Experiential Learning with Educational Implications 

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 2

Introduction

Carl Rogers was an American psychologist who contributed significantly to the humanistic approach in psychology. Rogers believed that there were two types of learning, cognitive which is meaningless and experiential which is significant. Cognitive learning includes academic knowledge experiential learning includes applied knowledge. Experiential learning attends to the needs and desires of the learner. Rogers believes that experiential learning is initiated by the self, involves personal interest and development, knowledge is evaluated by the learner, and it impacts the learner positively.

Educational Implications

The educational implications of Rogers’ theory of experiential learning are as follows:

Positive learning environment

The teacher must create a positive learning environment to facilitate self-initiated learning among children.

Clearing the purposes

Learners must be aware of the goals they can achieve through learning and teachers must be able to give them a purpose to learn new knowledge.

Availability of learning resources

There should be adequate learning resources in the classroom so that the learning process can be organized and students can feel motivated.

Balanced learning

There should be a balance between emotional and intellectual components for organized learning.

Sharing thoughts and feelings

Teachers should not dominate the learners and they should be encouraged to shared their thoughts and feelings.

New and modern Curriculum

The use of traditional must be eliminated and a new curriculum must be implemented.

Teacher must be an active listener

It is essential for the teacher to be an active listener so that he or she can guide the learners properly.

Conclusion

According to Rogers, the main purpose of education should be to nurture learners instead of constructing their academic knowledge.