The National Conference Center—one of the nation’s largest conference centers and the largest on the East Coast—with its partner The Browne Center, shared “Six Trends in Experiential Learning for 2017.”
The National Conference Center released the following statement in regard to its findings:
“Differentiated from the more traditional teambuilding, experiential learning uses a blended approach to learning, integrating activities, exercises, adventure elements, quiet time and ongoing post-event coaching to create powerful programs of leadership development, strategic planning, mentoring and coaching, communication, feedback and observation, and enhancement of behavior styles.
Here are the six experiential learning trends identified by both facilities:
- Barrier Free Learning: Take away the white classroom tables. Barrier free learning is hands-on training in a lab-like setting verses the traditional meeting room or classroom. The National has created a workroom and lab for simulation or scenario training to deliver new skills, taking away the barrier of the “white table” with attendees learning in a lab or open space area.
- Learning By Choice: Mixing classroom training with outdoor activities. The Challenge Course at The National has high and low rope elements, and increasingly facilitators are using a Challenge-By-Choice approach. Learning Programs are designed to meet the variety of goals unique to each client, whether conferees make use of the elements of the high or low course, or none at all. There is a role for everyone, even if individuals choose not to physically participate.
- Learning By Shared Experiences: Creating “shared experiences,” such as a building project, where everyone is involved collectively—from C-level executives to assistant managers—taking each participant out of their comfort zone and into a creative problem-solving task.
- Learning By Silence: Groups are increasingly exploring the power of silence in a high-speed, technologically dependent world. Facilitators are allowing more time for conferees’ solo quests, reflection, meditation time and movements like yoga that can provide powerful reconnection with the natural world, and the true inner self, opening new channels of connection and learning.
- Learning By Doing: Learners participate in carefully chosen experiences that are supported by reflection, critical analysis and synthesis. It engages the learners to be in direct experience, to be doing something that connects to an area they hope to improve or develop. The learner is actively engaged in posing questions, investigating, experimenting, being curious, solving problems, assuming responsibility, being creative and constructing meaning.
- Learning Through Application: Historically, debriefing was a structured process facilitated by a skilled professional throughout the process and at the conclusion of a program. This still occurs, but today a post-program debriefing application assists participants over time with how learning translates back at the office. There are a number of strategies that can be arranged to help facilitate this continued learning process. These include, self-directed debrief meetings, professional coaching sessions by phone or in person, or follow up, mini sessions at the one, two or three month intervals.
The National Conference Center is located in Northern Virginia, 12 miles from Dulles International Airport and 35 miles from Washington, D.C. It features 917 guest rooms and more than 265,000 square feet of meeting and group function space, including the West Belmont Place catering complex.
