From ‘doing’ to ‘knowing what you are doing’: Kolb's learning theory in teaching documentary practice

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research project on the student learning experience of the third year undergraduate course Documentary Theory and Practice at the University of Sussex. Both course design and teaching methods are inspired by Kolb's experiential learning theory, which the author considers in particular suitable to teach theory and practice of documentary film production. Analyses of student experiences indicate that students experienced theory as an empowerment of their practice.

Keywords:

• teaching media practice
• teaching documentary theory and practice
• Kolb's experiential learning theory