National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Test

Which educational approach focuses on learning through experience?

1. Traditional learning

2. Experiential learning

3. Distance learning

4. Direct instruction

The correct answer is: Experiential learning

Experiential learning is an educational approach that emphasizes learning through direct experience and reflection on that experience. This method posits that individuals learn best when they engage in activities that allow them to actively participate in their learning process, rather than merely receiving information in a passive manner. This approach is grounded in the idea that knowledge is constructed through experience. Learners engage in hands-on activities, experiments, simulations, or real-world problem-solving, which encourages them to reflect on the outcomes, evaluate the implications, and apply what they have learned in varied contexts. This cycle of doing, reflecting, and applying fosters deeper understanding and retention of knowledge. In contrast, traditional learning often involves a more lecture-based format where information is presented by an instructor, while distance learning focuses on the delivery of education through online platforms, and direct instruction centers on explicit teaching of academic content. These methods typically do not prioritize the experiential, hands-on component that is central to experiential learning.