The Action Theories of Experiential Learning (Coursework Sample)

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The Action Theories of Experiential Learning
People learn to do most things by actually doing them. For example, one can only learn to write by writing, just like a child learns to walk through walking. The learning process in which people learn through direct experience is referred to as experiential learning. This form of learning involves the generation of action theory from one's experiences. The action theory is then improved or modified until optimal performance or effectiveness is achieved (Johnson and Johnson 49). In essence, experiential learning is anchored on an action theory. An action theory of experimental learning is “a theory as to what actions are needed to achieve a desired consequence in a given situation” (Johnson and Johnson 47). In essence, action theories are the explanations of why people decide on undertaking certain actions in order to achieve certain goals. This paper analyzes the action theory of experiential learning and how it has been utilized verbally and non-verbally in my communication group. The action theory of learning involves an action-consequence analysis that helps people choose what verbal and nonverbal actions people can do to achieve desired learning results.
The action theory is the foundation of experiential learning and involves choosing actions that would lead to the desired consequences. The theory explains what actions are required for the achievement of specific goals. All action theories involve an ‘if-then' analysis and decision making on what actions should be undertaken (Johnson and Johnson 47). All action theories are henceforth based on doing a particular action for an intended result. An example of an action theory is that if one writes a proper term paper, he or she will definitely get a good mark. If one practices, then he or she will achieve effectiveness. Action theories are very very simple action-consequence decision making approaches that characterize everything we do in everyday life. An action theory is the course of action that one takes in order to realize an important target or goal.
Action theories can become habitual courses of action that people use to achieve the best results in recurrent situations.When people are faced by a situation in which they want to succeed, they reflect on the situation and action that would be needed to achieve the best result.
The action theory proposes that human actions are integrated with thought, and this integration “requires that we plan our behavior, engage in it, and then reflect on how effective we were” (Johnson and Johnson 47). For example, if a person fails a test, he will reflect on the actions that led to the failure and plan on an action to improve. When an individual finds an action or behavior that results to success in another test, he or she will repeat the action or behavior in recurrent situations. For instance, if a student finds out she performs better when she reads daily early in the morning, she will repeat this action daily until it becomes the norm. The repetition of actions in recurrent situations results in automatic actions aimed at the best consequences. People also modify behavior and actions to achieve desired results (Johnson and Johnson 48). Most of the action theories that people have function automatically.
There is at least one action theory for every situation that individuals face, but people may be totally unaware of the action theories they use. Since most action theories have become automatic, people are rarely conscious of the decisions they make to achieve desired actions because they do not engage in the action-consequence analysis anymore (Johnson and Johnson 48). Individuals who have learnt about action theories can identify them in other peoples behavior and can modify their own action theories for improved effectiveness.
The action theory of experiential learning is primarily an account of the rather normal decision making process through which individuals work for the best results. The theory explains the daily actions that individuals take for granted as ‘normal' actions for achievement of success. For example, the saying ‘practice makes perfect' is an explanation of action theory, but the saying, and practice itself, is perceived as a normal strategy for success. The action theory further explains that people perceive action theories as normal because the action theories function automatically. The ‘practice makes perfect' mantra is a verbal use of the action theories, while taking making actions in order to achieve better results is a non-verbal application of the action theory.
In my interaction group, action theories were applied both verbally and non-verbally.
One of the important goals in the group was effective communication. If people can communicate effectively, they are halfway through any project that is based on communication. Establishing effective communication was the first goal and the first success of my interaction group. To achieve this feat, each of the group members had to identify action theories that were needed for the realization of success. The group agreed that if we were to su...