Experiential learning is a broad category that roughly covers any learning by doing. It could include mock trials, simulations of real world scenarios, science experiments, and role playing. But the type of experiential learning that I’m most passionate about is using historical artefacts in the classroom.
A Viking artefact assessment in the classroom.
Examining and interpreting a historical artefact, or several in the same context, by holding it in your hands creates a connection you can never replicate by just reading about it or viewing images. It provides learners with a tangible link to the past. It can also be used much further than just a quick ‘hook’ for a lesson. Working with artefacts, students can develop an emotional connection to the past, and see the similarities and differences between themselves and the people of history. You can link the artefacts to preservation and archaeology, the politics of museum exhibits, and the insights they give us into the way of life in societies long ago. A perfect example is from the Vasa museum in Sweden, which provided some of the inspiration to start this business. Students who visit the museum view and handle a small wooden box that was owned by a sailor on board. He used it to lock his most prized possessions away, which is a concept modern kids can relate to (anyone here lock their phone?). But what does a 17th Century sailor safely lock away? The answer: his thick woollen socks!
There are plenty of articles online and in published journals that advocate the positive impacts of engaging students with experiential learning, and anecdotal evidence supports this idea. Having students work with objects, touching things, peering closely at the hand-stitching on my leather shoes, allows a creative, emotive link to any historical topic. It gives students a break from the usual way of learning, and they will remember those lessons a year later. I still have students who rave about being able to handle objects that re-create life from hundreds of years ago, and even more when their assessment was to research and make their own replica artefact. This gives me all the evidence I need to keep this going in my classroom.
Two siblings play a game of Hnefltafl
