Aristotle once wrote, “for the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Experiential learning is about learning through experience. It requires interactive, hands-on learning techniques designed to engage participants, apply knowledge, and build teamwork. When hosting a corporate conference, this approach has many advantages and can take a learning experience to new levels.
Corporate learning
No more boring meetings! What if we told you your next corporate meeting could be a huge growth opportunity and a genuine “Thank you” to your staff at the same time? Sound too good to be true? With experiential learning activities, you can make corporate events exciting, fun, memorable, and learning focused. This learning method has proven successful for decades and has even shaped modern teaching practices such as internships, on-site training, and more.
Traditional meetings may cover materials your staff may already know. The key to keeping them engaged and eager to learn is to apply experiential learning techniques, which can turn real situations into fun, interactive exercises. Your team will be immersed in tailored, hands-on tasks that translate to results back at the office when completed. These dynamic activities will also enhance morale and become part of a healthy work culture.
Experiential learning is synonymous in the corporate community when it comes to training; trends can be found all over the internet for unique and inclusive activities. Last year the world started to open back up after Covid. Corporations across America found new ways to bring staff back to the office and rebuild in-person connections and teamwork. Corporate building activities are big business; the ideas are endless and can be tailored to your company’s specific needs.
Joyful learning
Bring renewed excitement to the next conference and strengthen your team through carefully planned interactive lessons. These lessons can be designed to hone your team’s mental and physical health, reinforce core values, bring teams closer together, or reinforce various skills and training. Whatever your company goal is, experiential learning creates an experience for your team that will break the monotony and leads to memorable and productive participation. This manifests as tangible results and a more motivated and happier team back at the office. Here are a few creative ideas you can bring to your next meeting:
- Rope courses are an excellent way to build confidence, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and enforce teamwork.
- Puzzles & Games present an interactive way to break the ice and jumpstart interaction between team members.
- Turn your conference into a mock trial, where participants can role-play real case studies.
- Create a business simulation and have your team problem solve together, break them off into pairs and see who fares best in a friendly competition!
- After a long day of lectures, turn dinner into a murder mystery. Take it a step further and have everyone dress their part!
- Team trivia is always a hit; For instance, the birthday paradox states that in a group of 23 random people, there is a __% chance of at least one shared birthday: A. 25% B. 30% C. 50% or D. 70%. Quizzes can easily be personalized to your business too.
There are no rules when it comes to creating events for your team, just make it fun. Canterbury’s guest services can help you personalize your next meeting and offer the accommodations needed for your memorable business event.
David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model (ELM)
Fun Fact: David Kolb outlined experiential learning in the early 1970s. His theory is designed to take a substantial experience with real observations and abstract reflection to hone and build skills. His work breaks down learning styles into two dimensions: how a person understands and processes the information. His work continues to guide modern-day teaching through engaging activities. Many modern programs are noteworthy examples of how his work has shaped today’s internships, clinical trials, undergraduate research, fieldwork, and even studying abroad. These are but a few examples of putting Kolb’s theory into modern practice. Experiential learning leads to success and has been utilized across industries and education for decades. Put this best practice to use in your next meeting; not only will your staff be more engaged with the learning process, but they will also walk away with an experience to remember.
Reserve your meeting space today
Canterbury offers a wealth of activities and meeting spaces to accommodate your team for your next corporate meeting. Call today and speak with the Director of Sales at 407-542-5929 to make your reservation.
Birthday Answer: C, 50%
