Experiential learning encourages students to take control of their learning and development. It is a practical, hands-on teaching approach used from the lowest grades to the university level.
Students taught using this method can understand concepts, ideas and theories from all angles.
Teachers employ this teaching method at the M-PESA Foundation Academy, where teachers seek to create global leaders. The aim of this is to instill a sense of global citizenship in the students to make a difference in society.
Noel Tiyoy, who teaches German, uses the experiential teaching method in all her classes. You’ll often find her teaching in different locations around the school, and she especially enjoys including dance and music in her lessons. She also likes to encourage the children to debate ideas and concepts.
“I love a talking class!” Noel enthuses. “The teacher does not have to be at the centre of the classroom. You can be the guide at the side.”
Teacher Noel also encourages the learners to be independent and to ask for what they want.
“Sometimes I ask my students: how do you feel you will learn the best today? It’s about enjoyment. Through enjoyment, students will realise what they want to do,” she says.
“Technology has made learning more interesting,” she says. “So that it’s not just the teacher disseminating the information. The students are given the environment also to teach us. And that’s sparked something in them.”
She believes that students need space to do their research and discover things for themselves as it fosters a more inclusive future for education.
However, such a learning environment is not available to all, which is a significant problem. She urges governments to step up and take notice of the children who are being left behind.
“Life has a way of favouring those who have access,” she says. “Governments need to go into classrooms and identify students who need their help. Otherwise, the disparity between rich and poor will continue to grow.”
Read and watch more stories about the M-PESA Foundation Academy here: M-PESA Foundation Academy: transforming learners into leaders through digital education (vodafone.com)
