The 8LEM: 8 Learning Events Model.

Our colleague Karen is currently on maternal leave, and yet she still finds the time to send her lonely co-workers in the office interesting reading materials. Today, she presents the 8LE model: the 8 stages of learning.

Researchers of the University of Liège presented a theoretical model defining 8 learning or teaching experiences, called the 8 Learning Events model or 8LEM.

You can download the article discussing 8LEM here. 

Some guiding principles

Graphic representation of the 8 Learning Events, according to the learner's point of view. 

Before the researchers go into detail on the learning events, they propose a few principles underlying the model.

• They go quite into detail describing the learning experiences in which the learning is observed through various behaviours.
• The researchers place these events as they call them, along a dimension of learner's versus teacher's initiative. 8LEM thus accounts both for self-inspired learning and instructed learning.
• 8LEM even allows for contrasts in learning events. For instance, imitation is viewed as opposite to creation.
• The researchers stress the importance of variety of learning events in an experience. They see this necessary to the quality of the learning result.

8LEM

The 8 learning events are presented from the learner's point of view. We will briefly present them. For more depth, consult the original article.

1. Imitation
   Imitation does not need language. It's place independent. Consult Bandura's Social Learning Theory.
2. Reception
   Reception is a traditional message sent from one to one/many. The communication is intentional and language-dependent. Consult Ausubel's Verbal Learning Theory.
3. Exercising
   Exercising is primarily important where procedures need to be internalized. Consult Skinner's Reinforcement Theory or Thorndike's Law of Effect.
4. Exploration
   The student chooses to explore pre-existing knowledge. Consult Network Learning theories.
5. Experimentation
   When experimenting, the student is manipulating the environment to test hypotheses. Consult research of Piaget.
6. Creation
   Creating something new is also a source of learning. It incorporates already known elements into new concrete works. Consult Guilford's Divergent Production Concept or Torrance's Criteria for Judging Creativity.
7. Self-Reflection
   Before, during or after a performance or learning event, a person evaluates the cognitive and physical efforts. Consult the research of Flavell, Brown or Leclercq.
8. Debate
   Learning also takes place when people communicate with each other. Especially when perspectives don't align. Consult research of Doise, Perret-Clermont and Piaget.

Relating 8LEM to aXles

When looking at this model, it's clearly quite similar to how Arboth works. Our aXles model suggests 10 principles of the Learning EcoSystem.

In YELLOW you can find the 8LEM, applied on Arboth's eXtended Learning EcoSystem. 

The 8 learning events could be translated to our Content/Learner Centricity and Instructional/Information Flow Design matrix. 

We're curious. 

Which model do you base your learning decisions on? Leave in the comments below!