Introduction

As important as experience is to learning, it should come as no surprise that it is a contested notion, which means that there is disagreement among scholars and experts and practitioners about the role and definition of experience. This kind of disagreement is essential to the process of developing better theory and improved practice, although it can be frustrating, as a learner, entering the dialogue and trying to understand the implications for adult education. Be patient with this process. This week you will witness the dialogue in action as we move from the more foundational perspectives on experience in Newman and Dewey to more particular approaches to experiential education.