Learning That Sticks: Why Quality Experience is the Missing Ingredient in Most Classrooms
- Carrie Nolan
- Feb 13
- 1 min read
Students may forget facts, but they rarely forget powerful experiences. Yet, many learning environments still rely on passive methods that prioritize content over engagement. If we want learning to be deep, memorable, and transformative, we need to make it experiential.
Why Passive Learning Fails
The brain isn’t designed to absorb and retain information through listening alone. Research shows that active participation dramatically increases retention and understanding. Lectures and readings have their place, but without application and engagement, they often fade from memory.
The Power of Experiential Learning
Emotional Engagement: When students care about what they are learning, they retain it.
Active Participation: Learning through active minds, hearts, hands and guts cements knowledge in ways that passive consumption cannot.
Community Connections: When learning connects to authentic situations, it becomes meaningful and relevant.
A Simple Framework for Making Learning Active
Start with a Challenge: Present an actual problem or a question with no easy answer.
Engage in Active Exploration: Have students test, debate, and work through ideas experientially.
Reflect and Apply: Ensure that every activity includes time for processing and application.
When learning is active, students don’t just retain information - they own it. Experiential learning isn’t just an extra; it’s what makes education stick.
Join an AdvenEd Journey
AdvenEd offers place-based experiential learning expeditions that immerse participants in environments where education comes to life. Whether you're an educator or leader, discover how these transformative experiences can reshape the way you teach and learn.
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