Years ago an educator named EdgarDale (Educational Media, 1960), oftencited as the father of modern media in

education, developed from his experience

in teaching and his observations oflearners the "cone of experience”. Thecone's utility in selecting instructionalresources and activities is as practical

today as when Dale created it.

Cone of Experience

Direct, Purposeful Experiences

Contrived Experiences

Dramatized Experiences

Demonstrations

Field Trips

Television

Motion Pictures

Recordings, Radio, Still Pictures

Visual Symbols

Verbal Symbols

Exhibits

principal medium of communication

bear no physical resemblance to the objects or ideas for which they stand

may be a word for concretion, idea, scientific principle, formula or philosophic aphorism

Disadvantage: highly abstract

Cone of Experience

chalkboard/whiteboard, flat maps, diagrams, charts fits the tempo of presentation of idea, topic or

situation very easy to procure and prepare Limitations: lack of ability to use the media size of visuals simplification of visual materials leads to misconceptions

Cone of Experience

attention – getting, particularly projected a – vies concretize verbal abstraction Limitations: size of pictures or illustrations expensiveness of projected materials and equipment timing difficulties between radio shows and classroom lessons

Cone of Experience

a solution to time and space constraints provides “windows to the world” effective for presenting movement, continuity of

ideas or events substitute for dangerous direct learning

experiences Limitations: expensive viewing problems timing with classroom lessons

misconceptions about time, size, and ideas

Cone of Experience

present objects or processes otherwise impossible inside the classroom

exposure to new ideas, discoveries, inventions

problems that may be encountered: too little space time – consuming maintenance

Cone of Experience

visualized explanation of an important fact or idea or process

may require nothing more than observation or students may be asked to do what has just been shown how to do

Disadvantages: ideas or processes might not be interpreted or conceived very well visibility to all learners

Cone of Experience

undertaken primarily for the purpose of experiencing something that cannot be encountered within the classroom

a rich experience in learning about objects, systems, and situations

Disadvantages: time-consuming expensive high exposure to danger / accidents inadequacy of the community’s resources

Cone of Experience

help get closer to certain realities that are no longer available at first hand

stirring and attention getting participant learns to understand intimately the

character he portrays teaches cooperative work Disadvantages: time consuming without commensurate results participation is limited to few individuals

Cone of Experience

an “editing” of reality substitutes for confusing or unmanageable

first – hand experiences easier to handle, manipulate or operate Disadvantages: simplification leads to

misconceptions, distorted views, and incomplete pictures of reality no freedom to handle expensive or

fragile models, mock – ups, specimens,

etc.

Cone of Experience

unabridged version of life itself direct participation with responsibility for the

outcome the basis for the most effective and lasting

learning Disadvantage: not all things can be learned through direct, first hand experiencing

Cone of Experience

•10% of what they read• 20% of what they hear• 30% of what they see• 50% of what they hear and see - video• 70% of what they say or write• 90% of what they say as they dosomething

The cone is based on the relationships ofvarious educational experiences to reality(real life). The bottom level of the cone, "directpurposeful experiences," represents

realityor the closest things to real, everyday life.

The opportunity for a learner to use a variety

or several senses (sight, smell, hearing,touching, movement) is considered in

the cone. Direct experience allows us to use all

senses. As you move up the cone, fewer senses are involved at each level.

The more sensory channels possible in interacting with a resource, the better the chance that many students can learn from it.

Each level of the cone above its base moves a learner a step further away from real- life experiences, so experiences focusing only on the use of verbal symbols are the furthest removed from real life.

Motion pictures (also television) is where it is on the cone because it is an observational experience with little or no opportunity to participate or use senses other than seeing and hearing.

The experiences below this one provide opportunity for the learner to enter into the experience in more ways, using more senses.

Contrived experiences are ones that are highly participatory and simulate real life situations or activities.

Dramatized experiences are defined as experiences in which the learner acts out a role or activity.

Cone of Experience

Verbal Symbols

VisualSymbols

Recordings, Radio, Still Pictures

Motion Pictures

Television

Exhibits

Field Trips

Demonstrations

Dramatized Experiences

Contrived Experiences

Direct, Purposeful Experiences

Degree of Abstraction

Low

High