Kolb’s experiential learning for vocational education in mechanical engineering: A review

• Published in: AIP conference proceedings Vol. 2114; no. 1
• Main Authors: Pamungkas, Stephanus Fajar, Widiastuti, Indah, Suharno
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 26.06.2019
• Subjects: Engineering education; Experiential learning; Learning; Mechanical engineering; Psychomotor performance; Skills; Students; Teaching methods; Vocational education
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/1.5112427

Learning outcomes of students are influenced by their ability to understand the subject matter. Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate learning methods for improving the student’s comprehensive understanding. This paper will present a review of research on the implementation of Kolb’s experiential learning for vocational education in mechanical engineering. Active learning model with student-centered learning approach becomes an alternative to improve student learning outcomes. The learning characteristics of the vocational are a fairly large proportion of practical compared to theoretical activities. The experiential learning method which emphasizes knowledge construction through direct experience can be implemented in vocational education. Kolb’s implementation of experiential learning could improve the student’s understanding of concepts by providing means for the students to build knowledge and skills from direct experiences. The experiential learning method emphasizes the role of active experience and the involvement of students. Through authentic practice-based learning, students’ experiences will lead to the self-efficacy which in turn results in their confidence to handle a specific task. It is expected that this learning method will improve students’ learning outcomes and encourage students to develop cognitive and psychomotor skills. Understanding the concept of basic knowledge in mechanical engineering might be improved through a series of stage during the experiential-based learning. Experiential learning continues to be applied in vocational education since it connects knowledge to its application in daily life. This model can be applied in Indonesia to facilitate students in learning, so that learning outcomes can increase significantly. Briefly, it can support the Indonesian government program towards “Vocational Country” by 2025.