Question

Cone of experience is presented by :

• A. Edgar Dale
• B. Hellen Parkhurst
• C. Benjamin Bloom
• D. W.H. Kilpatrick

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Edgar Dale

The Cone of Experience

• The Cone of Experience is a visual model that illustrates the relationship between various types of learning experiences and their level of abstraction and effectiveness. It was developed by Edgar Dale.

• Edgar Dale (1900-1989) was a prominent American educator and theorist in the field of audio-visual education. He first presented this concept in his book, Audio-Visual Methods in Teaching, published in 1946.

• The cone is often depicted as a hierarchical structure, with the most concrete learning experiences at the bottom (base) and the most abstract at the top (apex).

Structure and Levels of the Cone

• The Cone of Experience is typically divided into eleven levels, moving from direct, purposeful experiences to purely verbal symbols.

• The levels, from most concrete (bottom) to most abstract (top), are:

  • Direct, Purposeful Experiences: Learning by doing the real thing (e.g., operating a computer, planting a garden). This is the most effective and concrete level.

  • Contrived Experiences: Using models, mock-ups, or simulations that represent reality (e.g., flight simulators, science experiments).

  • Dramatized Experiences: Participating in or observing role-playing, plays, or pageants (e.g., historical reenactments).

  • Demonstrations: Showing how something works or is done (e.g., cooking demonstration).

  • Field Trips: Observing phenomena in their natural context (e.g., visiting a museum, factory, or historical site).

  • Exhibits: Viewing static displays, dioramas, or posters (e.g., museum exhibits).

  • Motion Pictures: Watching films or videos.

  • Still Pictures, Radio, Recordings: Listening to audio or viewing photographs and slides.

  • Visual Symbols: Interpreting charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams.

  • Verbal Symbols: Reading or listening to spoken words. This is the most abstract level.

Key Principles and Educational Implications

• Principle of Effectiveness: Dale's cone suggests that the more direct and concrete the learning experience, the more enduring and effective the learning will be. Learning by 'doing' (direct experience) leads to better retention than learning by 'seeing' or 'hearing' (abstract symbols).

• Active vs. Passive Learning: The lower levels of the cone emphasize active participation, while the upper levels are more passive. The cone advocates for moving from passive learning experiences towards more active and engaging ones.

• No Specific Retention Percentages: It is crucial to note that Dale himself did not assign specific percentage retention rates (e.g., 'we remember 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear'). While these figures are often wrongly associated with the cone, Dale's work focused on the *types* of experiences and their relative concreteness/abstraction, not precise numerical retention.

• Application in Pedagogy: The Cone of Experience serves as a valuable guide for educators and instructional designers to select appropriate teaching methods and materials. It encourages the use of multi-sensory approaches and a variety of instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles and enhance understanding.

• Importance for Competitive Exams: Understanding the hierarchy and the core principle (concrete to abstract, direct experience for better learning) is vital. Recognizing Edgar Dale as the proponent of this theory is a frequent exam question.