Top 9 Experiential Learning Activities for Employees

Experiential learning has become important for employee development, with 87% of organizations adopting it and 82% finding it highly compelling. This experiential approach not only engages employees but also boosts retention and skill-building. 

As businesses search for new training methods, experiential learning offers great ways to promote growth. Let's find out the best experiential learning activities that improve workforce skills. This helps companies boost productivity, teamwork, and methods that make learning active for a lasting impact.

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is one of the best employee development plan examples and an active approach in which employees gain knowledge and skills through direct experience. Rather than passive observation, this hands-on method emphasizes learning by practicing. The concept is based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, which highlights that people learn better when actively engaged.

Studies show that experiential learning is the future of learning and boosts retention by up to 75% compared to traditional methods. In workplaces, this approach improves skills, understanding, and confidence, making it ideal for employee development. 

Source: BU Education

Benefits of Experiential Learning Activities in the Workplace

According to a CEB report, employees who get experiential learning are 2.5 times higher performers than those who undergo traditional training. This is because experiential learning activities for adults in the workplace offer several benefits, such as improving skills and retention in ways that give long-term success. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

1. Boosts Employee Engagement and Motivation

Experiential learning activities make training more interactive, leading to a 40-60% higher productivity rate than traditional methods. It promotes active participation and provides a refreshing change from a boring routine, which keeps morale high and motivates employees to improve.

2. Strengthens Problem-Solving Abilities

When employees work through real-world challenges, they improve their problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience gives them the skills to handle complex workplace situations and boosts confidence, critical thinking, and adaptability.

3. Enhances Retention of Learning

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Source: MDA Training

Experiential learning activities for adults training support better retention by involving employees directly in the learning process. According to a study by the Corporate Executive Board, experiential methods can increase knowledge retention rates by 90%. Such an approach actively engages employees to apply what they learn in practical settings. 

4. Promotes Adaptability in Teams

Experiential learning develops flexibility by engaging teams in various situations. Employees learn to collaborate under changing conditions, adapt quickly, and address challenges with determination. These skills make teams more connected and flexible, which is important in today’s workplaces.

9 Best Experiential Learning Activities Examples For Employees

Here are some examples of interesting experiential learning activities. Select your favorite from the following: 

Activity 1: Case Study for Leaders

Source: MDA Training

Experiential learning through case studies involves leaders engaging in real-life situations. They analyze specific challenges, decisions, and outcomes based on actual events. 

In this activity, individuals collaborate to analyze information and suggest alternative strategies. This approach fosters deeper understanding, as real incidents connect more than theoretical concepts. Learning from case studies helps: 

• Leaders develop insights.
• Learn from past successes or mistakes.
• Improve strategic thinking.
• Enhance decision-making abilities.
• Better prepare for challenges.

Activity 2: Role-Playing Scenarios

Role-play is an effective training program in which people perform roles in a simulated setting. It helps participants practice skills, address problems, and simulate real-life situations, allowing them to understand different viewpoints.

The main goal of these training activities for employees is to give hands-on experience in a safe space, helping individuals manage various scenarios. Role-playing scenarios can benefit employees by:

• Improving empathy, communication, and adaptability.
• Enhance creative problem-solving skills.
• View workplace issues from different perspectives.
• Boost knowledge retention.

Activity 3: Group Problem-Solving Challenges

In this experiential learning activity example, employees work together to tackle specific challenges, often with limited resources. These challenges can range from brainstorming innovative product ideas to finding solutions for operational issues. 

The activity encourages collaboration, as team members share diverse perspectives to develop the best solutions. It also improves critical thinking and communication skills, as each participant must clearly express ideas and contribute actively. Additionally, by facing real-world scenarios, employees gain hands-on experience that can improve decision-making skills in their daily roles.

The benefits of this experiential learning activity:

• Group problem-solving builds teamwork.
• Improve creative thinking.
• Strengthens analytical skills.
• Boost team productivity and creativity. 

Activity 4: Outdoor Team-Building Activities

Outdoor team-building activities, like group challenges or navigation exercises, are fun training ideas for employees. They also immerse employees in tasks that require mutual support and problem-solving. The dynamic settings of these activities encourage employees to communicate openly and trust one another, creating a strong foundation for teamwork in the workplace.

A key benefit of this activity are:

• Developing new skills and behaviors.
• Facing success and failure leads to adopting behavior changes.
• Engaging in team-building activities that mirror real-world change.

Activity 5: Experiential Workshops and Boot Camps

Experiential workshops and boot camps provide structured, hands-on training designed to meet specific skill needs in real time. Interactive sessions promote active learning, where employees can apply new techniques immediately. This hands-on approach makes the experience both practical and engaging. 

The benefits of this activity include:

• Improves knowledge retention due to interactive engagement.
• Offers immediate, hands-on practice to reinforce new skills.
• Makes learning practical, engaging, and directly applicable to workplace roles.

Activity 6: Volunteering and Community Projects

One of the experiential learning activities is volunteering in community projects that help society. These include charity events, environmental clean-ups, and mentoring programs. Volunteering projects provide a change from regular work and promote teamwork on tasks with real social value. Employees can bond and support causes by collaborating outside of work. 

Volunteering and community projects offer the following benefits to employees:

• Enhances employees' connection to the community.
• Encourages personal growth and social responsibility.
• Boosts job satisfaction by providing meaningful work experiences.

Activity 7: Job Rotation and Cross-Training

Job rotation and cross-training involve moving employees through various roles across departments, allowing them to gain exposure to new tasks, workflows, and skills. This approach helps employees understand the business, promoting collaboration and adaptability. 

By gaining insights into different functions, employees improve their versatility and availability for multiple roles. This method not only builds cross-functional skills but also expands organizational understanding. It promotes stronger teamwork and flexibility within the workforce.

Benefits of these experiential learning activities include:

• Strengthens collaboration between departments.
• Build employees' strength and prepare for multiple roles.
• Enhances adaptability by developing new skills.
• Builds understanding of the organization.

Activity 8: Experiential Learning Games

According to research, learning through games improves employee productivity by up to 50% and engagement by 60%. In other words, a gamified learning platform is a great way to help employees learn through practical experience. These games create a lively, hands-on experience that strengthens skills and fosters teamwork. 

Source: Financesonline

For example, Trivia promotes quick thinking and knowledge retention by challenging employees on various topics. 

Another experiential learning game, Two Truths, and a Lie, encourages communication and helps team members build connections by sharing and guessing personal insights. Both games make learning enjoyable while improving collaboration and critical thinking.

This gaming experiential learning activity improves:

• Problem-solving skills.
• Strategic thinking.
• Team bonding.

Activity 9: Competitive Learning Tournaments

In competitive learning tournaments, employees engage in knowledge-based challenges like quiz tournaments, hackathons, or brainstorming contests. These activities encourage employees to test their skills in a friendly, competitive environment and promote quick thinking and innovation. 

Friendly competition in these tournaments promotes quick thinking, fosters creativity, and builds confidence. This approach strengthens employee abilities and promotes a growth-oriented mindset within the team. 

The benefits of this activity are:

• Increase motivation through friendly competition.
• Builds resilience and a growth mindset.
• Boosts active participation and knowledge retention.
• Enhances teamwork in group challenges.

Experiential Learning Activities for Students

Experiential learning enhances student education through real-world experiences that reinforce knowledge and skills. Research highlights that 81% of students consider it vital for schools to provide projects in partnership with actual companies. 

Case studies, internships, and field projects are examples of experiential learning activities for students that connect academic theory and practical application. Through active involvement, students develop critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork skills and prepare for future challenges in their studies and professional careers.

Source: Researchgate

Here are the details of experiential learning activities for college students:

• Case Studies: Case studies closely examine real-world issues, helping students practice critical thinking.
• Hands-on projects: Engage students in practical activities like science experiments or art creation.
• Internship: Provide direct exposure to workplace environments and allow them to apply classroom knowledge practically.
• Field trips: Offer educational experiences outside the classroom, promoting exploration and practical learning.
• Simulations and role-playing:  Immerse students in realistic scenarios to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Collaborative group work: Foster teamwork and communication through shared projects.

Implement Experiential Learning Activities in Your Organization

Implementing experiential learning activities is crucial for developing a motivated, skilled, and strong workforce. By adopting these activities, companies can create engaging learning experiences that boost retention and problem-solving skills and promote team collaboration. 

With tools like Coursebox, you can build customized training programs that support real-world application and skills growth. It also transforms traditional learning into impactful experiences. 

Ready to upgrade your training strategy? Start creating immersive learning activities with Coursebox and motivate your employees to succeed in every challenge they face.

FAQs

What is an example of experiential learning?

An example of experiential learning for employees is participating in a mentorship program. In this setup, less experienced employees are paired with seasoned mentors who guide them through real-life challenges in the workplace. 

This hands-on approach allows employees to learn through observation, feedback, and practical application of skills. It promotes professional development while building relationships and making learning more impactful and relevant to their roles.

What are the three types of experiential learning?

The three types of experiential learning are:

• Real-world Experience: Direct involvement in a task or activity that provides hands-on experience. 
• Reflective Observation: Thinking critically about the experience to understand what happened and why.
• Concept Development: Creating theories from reflections for future use.

These three types work together to create a comprehensive learning cycle, enhancing both understanding and application of knowledge.

What games are used in experiential learning?

Experiential learning often uses games that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and real-world skill application. Examples include:

• Simulation Games: Business or workplace simulations that allow hands-on learning.
• Problem-Solving Challenges: Games that involve puzzles or scenarios that require teamwork.
• Role-Playing: Participants take on specific roles to practice decision-making in different situations.
• Escape Rooms: Group activities where participants solve clues under time pressure improve communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strategy Games: Activities like team-based planning games that build leadership and resource management skills.

What are the 5 steps in the experiential learning cycle?

The five steps in the experiential learning cycle are:

1. Concrete Experience: Engage in a new activity 
2. Reflective Observation: Reflect on the experience and its outcomes.
3. Abstract Conceptualization: Draw conclusions or insights from the experience.
4. Active Experimentation: Apply new insights to test concepts in real-world situations.
5. Feedback and Adjustment: Gather feedback to improve and adapt learning in future scenarios.

These steps create a continuous cycle that improves learning through practice and reflection.