The Story of a Determined Instrumentalist and Kolb’s Learning Cycle

These are the four stages of kolb’s experiential learning cycle, starting off with concrete experience down to active experimentation. This cycle has been widely used by most successful persons all over the world.

Aristotle once said that for things we have to learn before we can do them, we must learn by doing them. There is a popular saying that “whatever is worth doing is worth doing well”, that is giving it your 110%. The following brief story captures the experiential learning cycle.

Victor, popularly known as ‘VikkyKeys’, started off as a drummer at the age of 7 while in primary school. At age 10, after he graduated, his strength, dexterity and versatility in drum playing had increased. Later on in high school, Victor decided to learn other musical instruments, such as the keyboard and guitar because he believed in himself and his ability to conquer the challenge. His hunger for the knowledge and skills in playing these other instruments grew during church services on weekdays and Sundays; he always peeked at the keyboardist playing. However, in spite of his young age he was not content with just watching the keyboardist do wonders each service so he pleaded with the keyboardist to tutor him on the basics of the instrument. He built on his lessons with the help of nobody to develop himself, scaling the rudiments of the elusive instrument (this process demonstrates Concrete Experience).

In SS3 now, an amateur at playing the keyboard, a professional at hitting, Victor possesses what many would call raw talent. Victor knew that it was his hard work that got him where he is.

To demonstrate the other three areas of the cycle, after two unsuccessful jamb trials victor finally pulled through to Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo state, to study Agricultural Engineering though filing Mechanical Engineering. As a fresher in college he was captured by a fellowship group, Student Christian Movement (SCM) where he met contemporaries at his craft and realized he was just a beginner compared to the individuals he had encountered (this is Reflective Observation). During his 100 level, while being mentored, he was challenged by his level mates who were far better than him (Reflective Observation). He knew that to assert himself as an asset within the group he must be extraordinary at what he does. He delved into guitar playing and developed himself. He started off by searching the internet for videos which he studied and practiced off almost every day. YouTube was his favourite source. By the end of his 200 level, Victor became a valuable asset to the fellowship group and other fellowship groups within the four walls of FUTO, as an instrumentalist who possessed the skills to play the drums and keyboard amongst his contemporaries (this demonstrates Abstract Conceptualization).

Further, by the end of his school year graduating with a second class upper, Victor become one of the most sought out instrumentalists in Nigeria featuring in live concerts across the country.