Cone of Experience
Cone of Experience
Cone of Experience
The cone of experience is a pictorial device use to explain the interrelationships of the
various types of audio-visual media, as well as their individual positions in the learning
process.
The cone's utility in selecting instructional resources and activities is as practical today as
when Dale created it.
Verbal Symbols
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
Visual Symbols
Recordings, Radio,
Still Pictures
attention getting, particularly projected views
concretize verbal abstraction
Limitations:
Expensive
viewing problems
timing with classroom lessons
misconceptions about time, size,
and
ideas
present objects or
processes otherwise
impossible inside the
classroom
consuming
maintenance
Demonstrations
Field Trips
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 communitys
resources
Contrived
Experiences
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.
Direct, Purposeful
Experiences