Reflection: Does Student Experiential Learning Develops Leadership?

Does student experiential learning develops leadership?
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Does student experiential learning develops leadership?
Introduction
The debate on whether leaders are born or created has existed since the beginning of modern education. The proponents of the creation model hold that leaders are created. As such, the modern education system must therefore provide a platform for which key leadership traits can be nurtured. The challenge within the higher education fraternity is in determining the exact approach to take that can contribute to development of leadership in students CITATION Wes12 \l 1033 (Westbrook, 2012). Education specialists have in recent years advocated for a change in the methodology and pedagogical foundations from a teacher centred approach to a learner centred model CITATION Kol06 \l 1033 (Kold, 2006). The change largely driven by market forces that demand for a learner who is able to solve problems in contrast to simply regurgitating rote solutions CITATION Jul13 \l 1033 (Giulioni, 2013). The paper therefore attempts to determine if experiential learning develops leadership in students, and where the result is positive to what extent?
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is drawn from learning through experience, where learners or students attempt to do a given task and in experiencing the action they learn from it CITATION Iti99 \l 1033 (Itin, C. M, 1999). Educational experts credit experiential learning as being decisively student centred. The learner is forced to learn from his own unique experience. The learning experience is student centred as the learner is the active participant in the learning process CITATION Hom14 \l 1033 (Tavangar, 2014). The teacher adopts a facilitator role, only stepping in where necessary. The teacher is careful not to allow his or her own personal experiences to colour the learning experience of the student CITATION Coo16 \l 1033 (Cooperative Curriculum System, n.d.). As an educational approach, experiential learning is ancient. Evidence from Greek scholars such as Aristotle who utilized the approach with their students e.g. Alexander the great. He is quoted as saying the best way to learn is by doing a given action (UKPSF K1, K2 and A4; SEDA 5).
In attempting to answer the question “does student experiential learning develop leadership” it is critical to understand what leadership entails. Forbes defines leadership as a process, a practical skill and a function of emotional intelligence where an individual is able to harness the efforts of different individuals in pursuit of an organizational goal CITATION Kev13 \l 1033 (Kruse, 2013). As a practical skill, it is impossible to build leadership in a student without providing meaningful practical experiences for the learner CITATION Har10 \l 1033 (Harvard Business School, 2010). Leadership is fostered as a student is put in situations and environments that demand the student to lead. It is a trait that can only be fostered actively. Research has noted that theoretical learning of leadership is ineffectual at best and at worst ineffective. Students must become adept at handling the myriad of scenarios that leadership will force on the...