Learning Through Doing
As I work on developing our learning workshops, I've been thinking about the importance of learning through doing and the impact it has on what we absorb and take away. In the past decade, education has moved away from actual conversation and into a business training model. A type of education where online modules are built, e-training courses are pushed out, and employees sit in their home offices clicking through videos meant to have them 'learn on their own time.' As a business owner, I can see the business case for such a digital model - it has scale and reach. Still, I'm curious about what impact it actually has, especially when it comes to diversity and equity learning, and building belonging.bAn area of education which, at its core, is meant to build relationships.
When I spoke with Alice Te, who leads our anti-Asian racism workshop earlier this week, we discussed how relationships develop when people take the time to learn about each other, understand each other, and appreciate each other authentically and meaningfully.
If we're committed to building authentic, positive relationships in the workplace, we need to take the time to actually get to know each other. And by engaging in experiential, hands-on learning, you get employees excited about learning, colleagues are able to share the joy of their culture, and productive conversations happen, all of which help to build respectful, productive relationships.
And where do many of us find joy and connection with friends and family outside of work hours? Through food and eating together. So it makes so much sense that when we incorporate the multi-sensory experience of making together, learning together, talking together and eating together, it's impactful.
Engaging in active activities or conversations, as opposed to passively listening to a lecture, has been found to enhance learning outcomes in various domains, including cultural understanding and diversity education. When it comes to learning about other cultures and diversity, incorporating experiential and multisensory elements, such as using food as a tool, can indeed have a significant impact on learning and relationship building. Here are some research findings that support these ideas:
Experiential Learning and Cultural Understanding:
In a study published in the Journal of Studies in International Education, researchers found that experiential learning activities, such as cultural immersion programs and engaging with local communities, had a positive impact on students' cultural understanding and intercultural competence.
A research article in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology highlighted that experiential learning interventions, which involve active participation and reflection, were effective in improving cultural empathy and reducing prejudice.
Multisensory Learning and Retention:
According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, multisensory learning, which engages multiple senses such as taste, touch, and smell, promotes better retention and retrieval of information.
A research review in the journal Science indicated that multisensory experiences can enhance memory and learning by creating more robust and interconnected neural networks in the brain.
Food as a Tool for Cultural Learning and Relationship Building:
A study published in the Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies explored the use of food as a pedagogical tool for teaching intercultural competence. It found that incorporating food-related activities facilitated cultural understanding, fostered empathy, and improved cross-cultural communication skills among participants.
Another research article in the Journal of Culinary Science & Technology emphasized the role of food as a vehicle for cultural exchange, social interaction, and community building. It highlighted how shared meals can promote dialogue, bridge cultural gaps, and deepen relationships.
Research suggests that active engagement, experiential learning, and multisensory experiences, including the use of food-related activities, can enhance learning about other cultures and diversity. Incorporating such approaches can foster cultural understanding, empathy, and relationship building.