Welcome to part two of our journaling series. In the first part, we discussed setting SMART goals and reviewing these using Progress Journaling. This blog will take you through Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. This framework is perfect for those looking to enhance their learning and development through experience and reflection.

Let's Understand Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

For educationalists, learners, and those who require a little theory behind what we do, here is the essential knowledge you need for this journaling technique. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle is a four-stage process emphasising learning through doing and reflecting. The stages are:

⭐️ Concrete Experience: Engaging in a new experience or activity. We all try new things, and some do this better than others.  
⭐️ Reflective Observation: Reflecting on the experience. It is essential to consider whether this experience helped you produce new change or if what you did caused any hindrance.
⭐️ Abstract Conceptualisation: Learning from the experience. Your learning shapes your future.
⭐️ Active Experimentation: Applying what you’ve learned. This helps to cement what you have learned and enhance your outcomes for the future.

 This is Kolb's cycle, and it is excellent for creating and cementing new learning.  

How do you journal using Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle?

So, now, let's walk you through the essential steps for using the cycle in your daily journal.

Step 1. Document Concrete Experiences:
💎 Write about your activities and practices to learn a new skill. Be specific about what you did and how it felt.

Step 2. Reflect on Your Observations:
💎 Reflect on what happened during the activity. What worked well and what didn’t? How did you feel? This stage is crucial for deepening your understanding.

Step 3. Analyse and Conceptualise:
💎 Extract lessons from your experiences. What did you learn about the skill and your learning process? This step involves turning your reflections into actionable insights.

Step 4. Plan for Future Experimentation:
💎 Based on your reflections, plan what you will do differently next time. How will you apply what you’ve learned to improve your practice?

This is the second technique helpful when journaling is used for growth. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle is a dynamic and engaging way to enhance your learning journey. You can better understand your learning skills by continuously cycling through experience, reflection, analysis, and experimentation. This approach will help you gain the skills needed for a more productive journal session. 

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