David Spreadbury, Secondary Principal

In 450 BC, the famous Chinese philosopher Confucious said ‘I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.’  In 1750, Ben Franklin tweaked it a bit to: ‘Tell me and I will forget, teach me and I may remember, but involve me and I will learn.’

These maxims provide the basis for what we now most commonly refer to as experiential learning. As the name suggests, experiential learning means learning through experience. Although we’ve known for over 2,000 years that being involved leads to increased learning and better understanding, it is an educational practice that is still evolving. In the 1920s, the educational philosophy of progressivism (pragmatism) purported by John Dewey had experiential learning at its core. Dewey’s ideas have been, and continue to be, influential in educational reform.

I firmly believe that all students need opportunities like the challenge and satisfaction of being out in nature, the chance to experience other cultures first hand, and being able to assist other people less fortunate. When my children were growing up, they were lucky to be members of 4H. Now the world’s largest youth development organization, 4H was established 100 years ago on the simple motto of ‘learn to do by doing’. The 4Hs represent: Head – for clearer thinking, Heart – for greater loyalty, Hands – for larger service, and Health – for better living. I know that the practical, hands-on learning experiences my children had as part of 4H opened the door for them to develop leadership skills, public speaking skills, and a sense of community service.

Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to join a 4H club, but educational organizations around the world are recognizing the value and importance of experiential learning and it is becoming part of the curriculum. At TIS, we support the idea whole heartedly, which is why we place such importance on field trips and experience week trips. These trips are an opportunity to leave the desk behind, get away from the classroom and experience the diverse world that is out there. As a simple example, how would one learn to ride a bicycle by reading about it in a textbook? You need to actually get on a bicycle to feel what it is like. As parents and teachers, we need to allow and encourage our children to take advantage of these opportunities and embrace the many different experience week options available to them.