On August 19, 2026, the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics organized the professional development workshop “Experiential Learning in Physics”, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote innovative teaching practices, enhance the quality of education, and strengthen active learning in introductory Physics courses.
Learning Physics Through Experience – From Experience to Insight
Designed as an “open space” for professional exchange, the workshop focused on introducing and discussing David Kolb’s Experiential Learning (EL) Model.
Experiential Learning is an active learning approach in which learners engage directly in a cycle of experience, observation and reflection, conceptualization, and application. This approach not only supports students in acquiring knowledge but also encourages them to ask questions, reason, explore, and connect fundamental principles of Physics with real-world phenomena and problems.
By incorporating the EL Model into teaching, classrooms, lecture halls, and laboratories can be transformed into interactive learning environments where students are encouraged to engage in deeper thinking, actively explore ideas, and develop understanding through meaningful experiences.
Three Key Areas of the Workshop
1. The Experiential Learning Model
The workshop introduced the core principles of David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model, while examining its relevance and feasibility for teaching introductory Physics.
2. Applying Experiential Learning to Physics Education
The workshop explored approaches to applying the Experiential Learning Model to selected topics in introductory Physics, thereby strengthening the connection between theoretical knowledge, practical activities, and students’ learning experiences.
3. Discussion and Further Applications
The workshop provided opportunities for lecturers to exchange experiences and discuss potential approaches for extending the application of the Experiential Learning Model to a broader range of topics in introductory Physics and selected foundation courses within the discipline.
Advancing Educational Innovation and Developing Learner Competencies
The workshop “Experiential Learning in Physics” represents one of the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics’ professional development initiatives aimed at promoting innovative teaching practices and enhancing educational quality.
Through the increased use of active learning approaches, the Faculty seeks to foster a learning environment in which students are not only equipped with a strong foundation in Physics but are also encouraged to develop physical intuition, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a research-oriented mindset.
Integrating experiential learning into the educational process also represents a shift from a knowledge-transmission model toward a competency-based approach, in which learners play an active role in exploring, constructing, and applying knowledge.
With this orientation, the Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics continues to advance educational innovation, teaching excellence, and the development of modern, active, creative, and research-oriented learning environments, contributing to the preparation of high-quality human resources in Physics and Engineering Physics.