Teaching family narratives by applying Kolb’s experimental learning cycle to create a unit of activities

Abstract

In this activity, the marriage between two fields of theory—namely, communication and education—produces a more organized and integrated lesson on family narratives by using Kolb’s experiential learning cycle to guide the unit’s construction. Kolb’s model depicts what communication content is appropriate for each of the four stages. While the model provides fundamental educational elements to help transform student learning, it also allows for flexibility and change to keep students actively involved in narrative concepts and practices, including their own family stories. Courses Family Communication. Objectives After participating in the unit activities, students will be able to: (1) differentiate between recounting and accounting of family narratives, (2) identify three family communication patterns manifesting from stories, (3) reinterpret an existing experience by sharing a family story, and (4) reflect upon a family story by communicating its significance, type, evolution, and rules for performance.