Why Experiential learning?

Oxford English Dictionary defines knowledge as (i) expertise, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, (ii) what is known in a particular field or in total; facts and information or (iii) awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation[1]. According to my experience, vocational knowledge and skills can be learnt both at the VTCs and local industries through both education and experience, although the latter may yield better results.
Atkinson et al, 1993 defines learning as a relatively permanent change in behavior that results from practice.[2] The concept of ‘experiential learning’ which is ‘learning by discovery’ necessitates one to make meaning from direct experience. Knowledge in this case is developed from the process of action and reflection (Inglar, 2002:8). ‘Learning by discovery’ which is unveiling meaning, both in professional and contextual matters as well as relating to one’s own existence, in this case acting as an alternative for ‘learning about’ which is a view of knowledge that focuses on the content to be learned, learning material as something written in books and this knowledge does not necessarily need personal relevance (Bjerknes, 2002: 8-11).
Learning by discovery empowers individuals to take responsibility of their learning process, and with that authority, learning takes place more deeply and what is learnt is retained longer than when one learns by being taught and told(Knowles, 1980). This way of facilitating learning requires that one is responsible, committed, self organized, motivated and has an open mind to change.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge
[2] http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/whatlearn.htm