Hi, I'm Addy
Another Mumma Bear, thrown into the world of alternative learning.
Sink or swim like, everything changed just after the Sydney bomb scares in 2016.
With a firm, I don't want to go back to school
surfaced from a set of other issues,
the bomb event became the tipping point - so we began.
Almost a decade on, he we are.
It was a huge learning curve to replicate mainstream education and do school at home. And I recall telling the boys, I'd give it 6 weeks and see how we'd go. As a single mum already juggling so much - to take on their education as well, was daunting and boy did I feel the weight of that! No just on my shoulders, but my parents and sibling questioning if it was a good decision. A friend who was a teacher also frowning the day I told her, which made me feel inadequate, and question if I could do it. What did I know - she's actually a trained teacher after all, I pondered.
In those early days while the children played and replicated school, I got familiar with what was out there. Let me tell you there was so little. And what was, was scripture based on the other side of the country or distant education. Lucky for us, I had come into contact with an X-Teacher who did Distant Ed for her children for a time, and shared with me it was a lot. Coming from a person of her calliber, I saw it was not the way to go for us either.
So we plodded along doing school at home for some time before Keigh and Jessy opened up about the way they were learning, which changed everything. Importantly, I was listening.
By their lead and our intention, learning became something completely different. The premise with which we began was from desire, curiosity and wonder flipping things completely, and found and new vigour to energise learning.
It reminded me of when the boys were toddlers. We didn't plan so much, we just followed our noses and did life, which enabled them to learn in all the settings they ventured into. Almost a decade on, he we are. But more importantly, the change up of learning environments, meant Keigh and Jessy for a time actually had the freedom to tailor their learning, and I did too- learning side by side. It was a beautiful time and created so many cherished moments.
I was NO "Teacher" but armed with tenacity and will power, good research skills and life experiences - that took us far.
How so?
It was back in 1988, I got a taste for "Experiential Learning." I studied the Indonesian language in highschool. A benefit was in October of that same year, we would embark on a journey there.
That journey awakened my spirit.- peruse blog ... to know more
Back in the 80's labels did not have as much power as they do today, in the 21st Century. We just did stuff and that was that. To translate now, I would frame it as either, "Experiential Learning" , "Roadschool" and "Worldschool."
With laser focus for embracing the world as my classroom, I set me goals and sights on adventures, to see, dance, taste, interact and embrace culture in every sense.
To enable such, I worked at least 3 jobs to pay my way and reach my forever ambitious goals. It was an intense time, and a good thing in my younger years I had so much energy and will power! Working in such different roles, it made me versitile while keeping an open mind to working envirnoments and different systems to follow. Working in hospitality and events made it easy to travel, health and fitness mage it harder to travel - but when I did I was fit,. Then my coporate work gave me global opportunities but not as much flexibility. When I began reaching levels that took me to the top 10 in Tthe UK and Australia I began to be invited to brainstorm sessions to better equip and train new comers. This then took me to training independent contractors for blue chip companies.
Build multiple careers and invest thousands of hours across different sectors, becoming skilled in multiple vocations.
Beyond those years, I had the incredible fortune to do it all over again with my son's Keigh and Jessy, and wrote story books inspired by our journeys, then created authentically driven resources, games and more offered exclusively in Learn While Living library.
To conclude; what I found most empowering of all, is that lessons live in all forms and figures. They come from our everday and in life itself - and when we can capture and entwine those with a Philosophy In Action to suit the individual, ethos and values they have the power to become a part of us! With 37 years of Experience I can offer assistance for Worldschool, Roadschool and Experiential Learning in consultation, and insight into Eclectic homeschool style as that became our favourite since embarking in 2016. I now offer my time to guide wannabe or seasoned Worldschoolers and families who either home educate Eclectic Style or choose - Learn While Living, Loving the journey... {I cover the importance for "Why" , "What' & "How" to, and developed a bespoke Learn While Living library to assist in your journey.
A bespoke library? Yes, envisioned in 2017 off the back of there being NOTING available, we developed it over the past 9 years inspired by our 2 generational journey. You heard it here first!}
Picture 1: Its a playful scene with bright sparks ready and keen.
See how engaged they are?!
Want to engage your teens & children just like this?
Don't know how to?
Let's talk, the pro's and cons for "what", "why" and "how"
for "Experiential Learning."
First, "what" is Experiential Learning?
Simply put, learn by doing!
It is in the art of utilising each experience so to learn,
and here at Learn While Living, we take it to the next level to Learn While Living.
This post aims to explore the concept of experiential learning in detail, examine its theoretical foundations, discuss its applications in various learning settings,
and provide practical benefits for mentoring learners effectively.
Using this active learning application, and entwining such with our
Philosophy In Action- and library of resources, we aim to provoke a grass roots initiative for inspired life learning that holds no bounds.
NO SCREENSHOTS, 4min read: Ready to Dive Deeper?
Experiential learning is a dynamic and engaging approach for building know-how and knowledge that emphasises on the importance of direct experiences in the learning process. Unlike traditional instructional methods that prioritise rote memorisation and passive learning, experiential learning focuses on "active involvement of learners in hands-on, real-world activities."
Using picture 2 as an example: On face value, the activity is of two people sitting in a cave. Amongst a mighty scenery, the two travellers are bathed in the warm embrace of the sun as they look out to the towering peaks, their jagged silhouettes stand tall into the sky sprinkled by snow. This vivid tableau could easily be reminiscent of locations in either the southern or northern hemisphere, where breathtaking vistas converge to create awe inspiring landscapes.
"How" does that make sense for academia though?
Experiential learning can be defined as the process of learning through experience. It combines itself from, in the moment activities that are coupled with theory and practice, inviting learners to gain knowledge, skills, and willingful attitudes by actively engaging in meaningful experiences.
Experiential learning has wide-ranging applications across various learning settings, be-it home learning in any style, Roadschoool, Worldschooling to mainstream classrooms. Then later in life for community programs, corporate training and beyond.
Here are some key areas where experiential learning is utilised:
1. Education and Academia
In educational settings, experiential learning can take the form of hands-on projects, internships, simulations, service learning, and field trips.
For example:
Project-Based Learning (PBL): Individuals build on real-world projects that integrate multiple disciplines, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge into practical contexts.
Internships and Co-op Programs: These opportunities provide learners with direct exposure to professional environments, enhancing their skills and employability.
2. Roadschool, Worldschooling
Roadschool and Worldschooling: Families, couples and individuals use the world as either their classroom to learn, connect and grow, going on adventures full time, part-time and a casual basis.
3. Sabbatical
Travel Sabbatical: To take a rest from work for an extended period of time, and intentionally spend that time on something that's not your routine line of work to explore the world and grow.
4. Corporate Training and Development
Many organisations adopt experiential learning techniques to enhance employee training and development, and have done so for decades.
This could include:
Role-Playing and Simulations: Employees engage in simulated scenarios that mirror real workplace challenges, enabling individuals to practice problem-solving, decision-making skills and potential workplace skillsets.
Team-Building Activities: Experiential learning fosters teamwork, communication, and collaboration among groups and employees through engaging activities.
5. Community and Service Learning
Experiential learning can be integrated into programs to service the community, empowering learners to connect with their communities and apply their skills to address, community topics and social issues.
Service Learning: Individuals engage in meaningful community projects, reflecting on their experiences while contributing to their community and societal well-being.
6. Outdoor and Adventure Learning
Outdoor education programs provide opportunities for experiential learning through adventure activities, where participants develop teamwork, leadership and resilience from the adventure taken.
Adventure Based Learning: Programs that emphasise adventure challenges, may foster personal growth, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
This "type" of learning is not new, has a cyclical approach and can begin from childhood, evolves through youth to adulthood and beyond. It can be easily incoporated into a life learning approach or mainstream learning applications. Additionally, corporate and small business training and frameworks can enhance it to maximise potential and know-how, which ultimately develops more well-rounded individuals equipped for success.
The Benefits of Experiential Learning is our "why" ... will it be yours too?!
Experiential learning offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable approach to life learning, and training for development in all cycles of life:
Enhanced Retention: Engaging in active learning experiences increases the likelihood of understanding, reflecting and retaining information.
Practical Skill Development: Learners acquire hands-on skills that are directly applicable to real-world and real-life applications and situations, for life skills.
Increased Motivation: Active involvement in learning fosters intrinsic motivation, encouraging learners to be more engaged and invested in their learning and abilities.
Development of Critical Thinking: Reflection and analysis of experiences provide opportunities for clarity, critical thinking and problem-solving in real-life. Not simulation!
Preparation for their Working Life: Experiential learning equips individuals with skills and knowledge, for seeking a career with more thought for what they may aspire to do.
Improved Collaboration and Communication: Group activities and teamwork foster collaboration and enhance interpersonal skills, like communication, teamwork, critical thinking and forecasting.
Holistic Development: Experiential learning addresses multiple dimensions of learning, including cognitive, emotional, and social for overall learning development.
Learning is for LIFE: From the day we enter to the day we exit, a life long learning journey may only ever, be enrinched.
The cons...Challenges of Experiential Learning
While experiential learning offers substantial benefits, it also presents some challenges:
Assessment Difficulties: Measuring learning outcomes from experiential activities can be subjective and challenging to give a score to.
Resource Intensive: Implementing experiential learning initiatives may require significant time, effort, and resources.
Variability of Experiences: Different learners may derive different lessons from the same experience, making it challenging to standardise learning outcomes.
However, incorporating it can be inspirational..."How" it can be done, with joy !
Experiential Learning works best within a bespoke setting, designed from a curious, or "think outside of the box" mindset to succeed and mentor others. A go-getter attitude will create the will, and by bringing in a mix of spontaneity and organisation - with lots of activities and resources to accompany your journey, this is a way to truly align Experiential Learn so to Learning While Living.
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Tip: Words evolve, the meaning behind them change to suit a narrative as time moves on. Today the modern term is, Worldschool and Roadschool. However, whatever "it" is called now or in the future, the importances are that experiences shape us. Reflection from those experiences carry weight in our "why", "how" and "what" for. Today we get to make the choice how today unfolds.
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If you read all this post, and saw past the screen to “what may” you have a curious mindset.
Personally, Experiential Learning going Global - is impactful, inspiring, holistic and life long.
Leading with love,
Addy Marie, Visionary, Founder & Owner of Worldschool Tribe,
"Learn While Living, Loving the journey..." Is our -Philosophy In Action-
{Credit: "Worldschool Tribe" Published: 31.07.2024 }
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