---
title: Adult Experiential Learning Cycle - ViRTUS
description: Learn more about the Adult Experiential Learning Cycle and how leadership training can help you to develop the skills neccessary to reach your goals.
---

[The ViRTUS Leadership Journal](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal)

# [Adult Experiential Learning Cycle - ViRTUS](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/adult-experiential-learning-cycle)

 Written by [Mike Desjardins](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/author/mike-desjardins) | Feb 25, 2009 1:04:30 PM

**Adult Experiential Learning Cycle**

- **Experiencing** – designed to generate individual data from one or more of the senses (hear, smell, taste, see, touch), thinking (interpreting, judging, conclusions, assumptions – based on past experience i.e. stored information), action (verbal and nonverbal), wanting or intending, feeling (positive/negative affective or emotional responses) modes.
- **Reflection & Sharing**– to report the data generated from the experience. The purpose is three-fold. First, the person having the experience, in their sharing, learns to articulate the experience and in so doing expands that experience. They also learn the skill of [effective communication](https://virtusinc.com/approach/). Third, on hearing other people’s experiences, add to the depth and breadth of their seemingly unique experience.
- **Interpreting** –  to make sense of the data generated for both individuals and the group. Interpretations allow me to formulate a position or hypothesis about my experiences. With this in hand I can go into the “real’ world” to test my hypothesis.
- **Generalizing** – to develop hypotheses and abstractions from the data.
- **Applying** – to bridge the present and the future by understanding and/or planning how these generalizations can be put into operation.
- **Revising & Repeating** – through trial and error the learning becomes personalized and the behaviour turns into a habit over time

[View full post](https://blog.virtusinc.com/virtus-inc-leadership-journal/journal/adult-experiential-learning-cycle)

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