Experiential learning in a hybrid workplace

The crux of Experiential Learning lies in taking a group of people away from their normal environment and placing new, unfamiliar challenges before them, in the solving of which a whole new equation is thrown up. The program works on the principle that when a team is thrown together in wilderness or adventure settings where they have to fend for themselves and meet challenges together, there is growth in many directions

Experiential learning works on the following assumptions :

1. People are generally more resourceful and capable than they think they are

2. A small heterogeneous group is capable of successfully coping with significant physical and mental challenges

3. Learning is more successful when problems are presented rather than solutions or frameworks

4. Single most critical factor determining a person’s future is his idea of self

5. Stress and shared adventure are important catalysts in the self discovery process

6. Significant long lasting earning can be achieved through an intensive, short term experience

The areas where experiential learning programs are most effective include building successful teams, leadership development, change management, strategy management and planning, effective communication, interpersonal skill and conflict resolution, personal effectiveness etc.

What makes this an effective training tool is the ability to create an environment of open and non-threatening communication, building mutual trust which can be transferred to work place situations and creating awareness of self and others .

Moreover the calm and serenity offered by nature, allows one to return to the workplace refreshed and energised. Employees appreciate the efforts of the management in providing them a memorable and rewarding experience.

In the current context of hybrid workplaces, Experiential learning can also adopt a hybrid approach where a part of the team is physically present and another part is virtually present in one part and they switch places in the second part of the program. This allows participants to understand, communicate and operate effectively in both the settings.

Some of the formats of experiential learning are:

MTA Games: MTA Learning is a series of tactile learning kits that are used for enjoyable, stickable learning for teams across a host of learning needs. By leveraging experiential learning principles, the groundbreaking MTa approach puts the participant at the centre of their own learning and guides them towards meaningful, lasting outcomes.

After each activity comes the review stage, and it’s here that participants are invited to draw their own conclusions about how things went, plan and test new strategies, and arrive at lasting learning outcomes.

Theme based games: Theme based games allow participants to come together and participate in activities that have a story around them. These could be exciting games like mystery solving, reality based games like Masterchef and many more. These games take participants out of the working environment, allowing their natural behaviours to come out and then build them back to their workplace behaviours through impactful debriefs.

How are you going to get your employees to enjoy their learning experience?