Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

Perspectives of Experiential Learning 
Experiential learning is most simply defined as “any hands-on experience that yields learning” (Kiser & 
Partlow, 1999, p.70). According to Wilson and Baird (1997), experientialism maintains that “knowledge is validated 
from experiences in relation to the social context in which they are gained” (p.3). Experiential learning in post 
secondary hospitality management curricula, therefore, occurs in many and various forms including the internship, 
the externship, practicum, or the cooperative education experience. All seem to have varying definition from school 
to school, but the basic premise is that the student is learning through work experience (Kiser & Partlow, 1999).
Experiential learning stems from John Dewey’s philosophy of progressive education. Dewey (1921) 
promoted education of the whole person, and in doing so, promoted the importance of work as a respectable way to 
learn. Dewey asserted that applying what is done in school to what is done on the outside brings value to classroom 
learning. Dewey endorsed the theory of learner-centered education, and this theory was further advanced by the 
Progressive Education Association, which was formed in 1919. In an eight-year evaluation of the learner-centered 
approach to education, the results indicated that there are advantages of learner-centered education over the 
traditional teacher-centered education. Some of those advantages include attaining higher academic grades, 
developing intellectual curiosity, developing creativity, and developing leadership skills (Henson, 2003). From 
Dewey’s perspective, experiential learning provides experiences in a social context, from which students can learn. 
His theory of experiential learning indicates that all knowledge areas are enhanced when the content to be learned is 
centered around real-life situations (Roberts, 2003).