I've Been There, But Not Really: Lessons from Experiential Learning

I panned around and took in the sights of Liberty Square. Neoclassical buildings towered over the plaza, and monuments honoring the 1956 Hungarian Revolution captured my attention. I inched forward, and the magnificent Gothic-style Hungarian Parliament Building with its red cupola stood before me. The grand white facade reflected off the Danube River, providing a stunning visual. 

There was only one problem: I wasn't physically in Budapest. Instead, I clicked through Google Street View in anticipation of traveling to the Hungarian capital. 

This isn't a new practice for me. I can remember my pretend travels from when I was five. Back then, I virtually visited sporting stadiums around the United States. However, once I traveled with family to European nations, I became intrigued by culture, history, and geography. 

These pretend trips are elaborate too. I carefully curate an itinerary with verified hotels, flights, and tours. I create boarding passes for each flight and undergo the routine before flying – and yes, I turn my phone to Airplane Mode. I track the flight through tracking services and receive updates, even though I am not traveling.  

I venture through the city using Google Street View and stop at landmarks to read about their importance. Sometimes I will try to learn a little of the language or cook their national dish. 

This type of pre-travel before a trip can be useful. When I eventually traveled to Budapest in June of this year, I relied on my prior "travel" to the city and geographic memory, allowing me to walk the city streets without consultation from a map. 

Last year, I guided my brother and grandmother through the streets of Geneva and memorized the entire transit system in the city. Furthermore, when joining tours, I use knowledge from prior readings to ask questions that deepen my understanding of historical events. 

I always found these simulated trips educational and amusing. Yet, I never realized the popularity of armchair traveling until my first-year course at Macalester College — “Time Travelers: Global Tourism through History”. In the class, we explored the impact of tourism on countries throughout history. For example, we discussed the significance of local culture when traveling to Machu Picchu after its rediscovery. 

Our class witnessed Hawaiian cultural appropriation at the Hawaiian Room in New York's famed Lexington Hotel, and the tribulations of a Tlingit – an Alaska Native community – tour guide in Sitka. Culture remained a central topic in Europe, as we experienced traditional Paris sights established during Vichy France, continuing the Parisian spirit, "But Paris will always be Paris."

My high school history teacher, David Cutler, adopted a similar method for his junior U.S. History class years beforehand. As an alternative to memorization, Cutler implemented simulations that emulated a certain era in American history. 

For example, our class traveled to the 1920s to learn about Prohibition and the Great Depression through videos and photos. Yet, within the simulation, we also gathered information on the famous Charleston dance, the Model T's rise, and New York's rapid expansion. Cutler even handed out worksheets with 1920s slang and encouraged us to respond to prompts using the antiquated words. 

But, while I took lessons from my courses, experiential learning isn't confined to history classrooms. 

Every subject has a comparable experience-based learning method. Labs allow science-focused students to experience chemical changes or physical laws. Language learners use oral learning and essay writing to supplement grammar tools. Math scholars continuously solve problems to strengthen their understanding.

Today, employers and universities laud experiential learning – and for good reason. 

While high school and college students find themselves cramming for an exam the night before, memorization of random facts and figures isn't nearly as effective. 

In the 1960s, the National Training Laboratory popularized the Learning Pyramid, a model presenting the best long-term retention learning techniques. According to the model, a student will only retain five percent of a typical college lecture and ten percent of a textbook. Meanwhile, the pyramid shows that students retain 75 percent when "learning by doing.”

Experiential learning allows students to connect lectures and readings to real-world applications. This deepens understanding and adds context to classroom learning while leaving a lasting impression and experience on the student. Experiential learning also utilizes critical thinking. Students use critical thinking in the debriefing and reflection process after a simulation, a core tenet of experiential learning. Teachers who lead real discussions after an activity with their class see growth and a stronger understanding of the material. Additionally, reflections help students notice their own beliefs and thoughts on the exercise.  

Critical thinking has proven to be an essential skill for today's workforce. Per LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends report, 89 percent of recruiters said that they mostly reject potential candidates due to a lack of soft skills – including critical thinking. Recruiters based in the United States also ranked critical thinking as one of the most difficult soft skills to find, present in only 36 percent of sampled candidates. 

Moreover, the overall quality of education increases when students focus on critical thinking, not tests or grades. Perhaps the most famous example is Finland, a bastion of global education. Finland consistently scores high on academic and soft skills because of their critical thinking-first approach. They value understanding and connection, rather than a number or letter. 

Similarly, experiential learning keeps students engaged in class and requires class participation, increasing motivation. Unlike dull and tedious lectures or homework readings, the learning comes from your active involvement. Because experiential learning forces a student to engage with the material, personal growth and knowledge come from the experience. 

... 

Interactive learning is here to stay. With innovation and technology creating an easier platform to engage in learning, there is no excuse for schools to continue enforcing a broken system with agonizing tests and superfluous letters. Instead, schools must adapt to the times –  and so should we. 

Luckily, Gen-Z is taking the teaching field by storm, with times of change. Gen-Z folks know how antiquated our current school system is – they recently graduated. Within their schooling days, Gen-Z learned during the advent of technology and are well-equipped to utilize electronics to boost student’s performance in class through hands-on learning. Gen-Z can be the generation to turn the tides and embrace the fun of learning.

So, when booking that next dream vacation, explore your surroundings, virtually.