Learning as base for
innovating
Frido Smulders
Delft University of Technology
Experiential Learning Model David Kolb (1984)
Concrete
Experience
Concrete
Reflective
Observation
Active
Experimentation
Abstract
Abstract
Conceptualization
Active
“Learning is the process whereby
knowledge is created through
transformation of experience”
Passive
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Experiential Learning model David Kolb, 1984
Concrete
Experience
Concrete
Active
Experimentation
Abstract
Reflective
Observation
Abstract
Conceptualization
Active
Passive
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4 learning abilities => 4 dominant learning styles
David Kolb, 1984
Concrete
Experience
Do-er
Active
Experimentation
Converger/
planner
Diverger/
visionair
Reflective
Observation
Thinker
Abstract
Conceptualization
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Visionair/Dreamer
diverging
Characteristics:
• People oriented
• Emotional
• Broad field of interest
Strengths:
• Fantasy
• Many viewpoints/perspectives
• Thinks in alternatives
Team with only visonairs:
• Not decisive
Team without visionairs:
• Few ideas and no breakthroughs
• Weak problem recognition
• Looking for the one and only solution
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Thinker
assimilating
Characteristics:
• Interest in abstract concepts
• Practice is irrelevant
• Not much people oriented
Strengths:
• Integrating into theoretical models/concepts
• Inductive reasoning (specific => general)
• Logics and accuracy
Team with only thinkers:
• No practical application
Team without thinkers:
• No/weak theoreatical basis
• Doesn’t learn from own mistakes
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Planner
Converging
Characteristics:
• Technical specialist
• Few emotions
• Prefers business rather than people
Strengths:
• Deductive reasoning (general=> specific)
• Decisive
• Planning/organizing
Team with only planners:
• Single loop learning
• Solution for the wrong problem
Team without planners:
• Not result driven
• Application of untested ideas
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Do-er
accomodating
Characteristics:
• ‘trial & error’
• Gets well along with people
• Sometimes impationt
Strengths:
• Application oriented
• Purposeful/goal driven
Team with only do-ers:
• Working hard on wrong business
Team without do-ers:
• Work not done on time
• Not goal oriented
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Als een stijl ontbreekt …
• te laat klaar
• perfectionisme
• geen markt intro
• doet het niet
• functioneert niet
• logistiek loopt niet
• verkeerde product
• dekt geen marktbehoefte
• me-too product
• blijkt niet sterk genoeg
• bezwijkt plotseling
• onderdelen passen niet
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Typical jobs …
• Production
• Marketing
• Sales
• HRM
• Arts
• History
• New business
• Applied:
research
engineering
• Planning
• Basic Research
• Basic Sciences
• Theoretical
engineering
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Concrete Experience
‘nice stories’
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
Active
Experimentation
‘academic
Reflective
Observation
discussion’
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
‘nerd’
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
‘wrong question’
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
‘acting without
thinking’
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
‘Engineering trap’
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract Concept
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Concrete Experience
‘Trial and error’
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Abstract Concept
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CE
AE
RO
Academic learning Cycle
AC
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4 learning abilities ≈ 4 phases in PD process
Production
Ramp-up
Concrete
Experience
Do-er
Diverger
Active
Experimentation
Reflective
Observation
Converger
Production
Preparation
Concept
Development
Thinker
Engineering
Abstract
Conceptualization
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