I am coming in a bit late on this discussion, but here are my thoughts in
response to Greg's enquiry. I am actually responding to Neil's message as I
missed Greg's so if I am way off, ignore this email. I will preface by
saying that these are my opinions and understanding.
>> I have an inquiry for the group. The aviation force I work with is
>>discussing the improvement of "experiential" CRM training. I'm not really
>>sure what that really is. I have an idea of course, but I want to know more.
>> Is this a proven or tested term that describes a specific training
>>objective, methodology, and behavioral standard? Has anyone any experience
>>in courseware using the term "experiential" training?
Experiential training is a tried and proven method of education. I have
just completed my Master's at a college that bases its educational
philosophy and methodology on Experiential Learning.
Here is my 5c worth: Experiential training finds its roots in Adult
Education (Androgogy). It is premised upon the fact that adults have a
wealth of experience which they bring to the learning environment and their
learning is facilitated if they are able to apply their experience to
whatever they are learning. Experiential training also acknowledges that
not everyone learns in the same way and you probably are familiar with one
of the several learning styles questionnaires that are around. These
questionnaires basically are insightful in helping learners and instructors/
teachers/ facilitators etc understand why different people learn better in
different environments. This is useful in lesson design etc.
Experiential training takes people through 3 stages: unfreezing, moving and
then refreezing. The methodology acknowledges that people come to a
learning situation with perceptions, experiences, habits, methods. They,
the learners, are so to speak, "frozen" in their ways. As trainer, your job
is to unfreeze them, ie. get them to become aware of what they will be
learning. Through a combination of learning activities, move them into new
learning in this area and then "refreeze" them by getting them to talk about
what they learned and how this can be applied etc. Your responsibility is to
facilitate this process.
One of the fundamental models underpinning experiential learning is the
Experiential Learning Cycle developed by Kolb. I do not have the capacity
to draw cycles cos my technology use is not good enough, but the stages are
the following:
Now for some communication skills!
Draw a big circle on a piece of paper and around the circumference/
perimeter of circle draw 5 boxes. Draw arrows going around the circle from
one box to next. Write one of the following in a box:
Experiencing (Activity/ doing)
Publishing (sharing reactions/ observations)
Processing (discussion of patterns and dynamics)
Generalizing (inferring principles about the "real world")
Applying (planning more effective behaviour)
If my instructions were clear, you are looking at the experiential learning
cycle.
This cycle requires strong/ well-developed facilitation skills. I am sure
that there are several other models out there, this is Kolb's I believe.
Many professional training organisations use experiential learning to do
trainings.
I successfully introduced CRM to a group of totally non-aviation/ HF people
using this technique. It enabled me to present material using structured
activities (pilot's would not like the word "games") besides just a lecture.
We use experiential learning much of the time in flight instruction and in
CRM. For example an airline doing LOFTs in the sim. Crew has a simulated
engine fire, use their knowledge and experiences to deal with it
(experiencing), during debrief they go into sharing (publishing), look at
habits they have or need to develop (processing), then discuss how things
could/ should be different (generalizing) and go onto examining how etc to
apply new skills (applying). Next time they are experiencing similar
circumstances (hopefully never) they should relate their new skills to the
situation. (back to experiencing)etc.
I do not know if this clarifies anything for Greg, but I do not want to
ramble further.
Regards
Wendy Santilhano.