Why Schools Need More Experiential Learning
For generations, schools have played a vital role in helping young people acquire knowledge, develop skills, and prepare for life beyond the classroom.
However, the world is changing rapidly.
Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries. Employers are increasingly seeking people who can adapt, collaborate, communicate, and solve complex problems.
As a result, educators around the world are asking an important question:
How can schools better prepare students for the realities of the modern world?
One increasingly important answer is experiential learning.
What Is Experiential Learning?
Experiential learning is learning through experience.
Rather than simply receiving information, students actively engage in meaningful tasks, projects, challenges, and real-world situations.
Students learn by doing.
They apply knowledge in practical contexts, reflect on their experiences, and develop a deeper understanding through action.
Examples of experiential learning may include:
STEM projects
Design challenges
Robotics programmes
Outdoor education
Enterprise and entrepreneurship activities
Community projects
Technology competitions
Team-based problem-solving activities
These experiences help transform learning from something students hear about into something they personally experience.
Learning That Stays With Students
Many students can memorise information for an assessment.
Fewer can confidently apply that knowledge to unfamiliar situations.
Experiential learning bridges this gap.
When students actively participate in a project or challenge, learning becomes more memorable and meaningful.
They are not simply learning concepts.
They are learning how to use those concepts.
Research consistently shows that students often retain learning more effectively when they are actively engaged in authentic experiences rather than passive instruction alone.
Developing Skills That Matter Beyond School
The future workplace will require more than subject knowledge.
Young people will need to:
Communicate effectively
Collaborate with others
Think critically
Solve problems creatively
Adapt to change
Lead when necessary
Learn continuously
These skills are difficult to develop through traditional instruction alone.
Experiential learning creates opportunities for students to practise these capabilities in real situations.
Whether students are working together on a technology challenge, leading a team project, or responding to unexpected obstacles, they are developing skills that will serve them throughout life.
Building Confidence Through Action
Confidence is not something that can simply be taught.
It is developed through experience.
Students build confidence when they:
Try something new
Overcome challenges
Solve problems independently
Contribute to a team
Experience success through effort
Experiential learning provides regular opportunities for these moments.
Students begin to see themselves as capable learners who can take initiative, manage uncertainty, and persevere when things become difficult.
This confidence often extends far beyond the original activity.
Making Learning More Engaging
One of the greatest strengths of experiential learning is engagement.
Students are naturally motivated when learning feels relevant, active, and connected to real-world outcomes.
When students can see the purpose behind what they are learning, participation often increases.
Technology-based learning experiences are particularly effective because they connect with the interests and curiosity of many young people.
Hands-on activities create opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and discover in ways that traditional classroom approaches may not always provide.
Preparing Students for a Changing World
The future will require individuals who are comfortable navigating uncertainty.
Many of today's students will enter careers that do not yet exist.
The ability to learn, adapt, and innovate may become more important than any specific technical skill.
Experiential learning helps students become active participants in their own learning journey.
It encourages curiosity, initiative, resilience, and lifelong learning.
These qualities will remain valuable regardless of how technology or industries evolve.
The Role of Schools
Experiential learning should not replace academic learning.
Rather, it should complement it.
Strong academic foundations remain essential.
However, students also need opportunities to apply what they learn in authentic and meaningful contexts.
The most effective education systems are increasingly recognising that knowledge and experience work best together.
When students can connect theory with practice, learning becomes more powerful.
Looking Ahead
At Drone Soccer New Zealand (DSNZ), we believe young people learn best when they are actively engaged, challenged, and inspired.
Experiential learning allows students to develop not only knowledge, but also confidence, character, leadership, teamwork, and innovation capability.
As education continues to evolve, schools have an opportunity to create learning experiences that better reflect the world students will enter.
The future will not be shaped by what students memorise alone.
It will be shaped by what they can create, contribute, and achieve.
Experiential learning helps make that future possible.
About the Author
Dr. Dandan Cao is the Founding President & Chief Executive Officer of Drone Soccer New Zealand (DSNZ) and holds a doctoral degree in Education. Her work focuses on digital technologies, STEM education, AI education, youth innovation, and future-ready learning.
She is dedicated to helping young people develop curiosity, confidence, and innovation capabilities to thrive in an AI-driven future.