EDGAR DALE’S

CONE OF
EXPERIENCE
EDGAR DALE
EDGAR DALE (1900-1985) SERVED ON THE OHIO
STATE UNIVERSITY FACULTY FROM 1929 UNTIL 1970

HE WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWED PIONEER

IN THE UTILIZATION OF AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS
IN INSTRUCTION.
PROFESSOR DALE’S MOST FAMOUS CONCEPT WAS CALLED
THE “CONE OF EXPERIENCE”, A GRAPHIC DEPICTION OF THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOW INFORMATION IS PRESENTED
IN INSTRUCTION AND THE OUTCOMES FOR LEARNERS.
WHAT IS THE CONE OF EXPERIENCE?
• FIRST INTRODUCE IN DALE’S
1946 BOOK, “AUDIO-VISUAL
METHODS IN TEACHING”.
• DESIGNED TO “SHOW THE
PROGRESSION OF LEARNING
EXPERIENCES” FROM THE
CONCRETE TO THE
ABSTRACT.
 CONCRETE VS. ABSTRACT LEARNING
CONCRETE LEARNING ABSTRACT LEARNING

• FIRST HAND EXPERIENCES • DIFFICULTY WHEN NOT ENOUGH

• LEARNER HAS SOME CONTROL PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OR
OVER THE OUTCOME EXPOSURE TO A CONCEPT
• INCORPORATES THE USE OF ALL • EVERY LEVEL OF THE CONE USES
FIVE SENSES ABSTRACT THINKING IN COME WAY
 • These are firsthand experiences
which serve as the foundation of
DIRECT learning. In this level, more senses
PURPOSEFUL are used in order to build up the
knowledge. Also, in this level, the
EXPERIENCE learner learned by doing things by
him/herself.
 • In this level, representative models
THE and mock-ups of reality are being
used in order to provide an
CONTRIVED experience that as close as reality.
EXPERIENCES This level is very practical and it
makes learning experience more
accessible to the learner.
 • In this level, learners can
THE participate in a
reconstructed experiences
DRAMATIZED that could give them better
EXPERIENCES understanding of the event
or of a concept
 THE
DEMONSTRATIONS
• It is a visualize explanation
of important fact, idea, or
process through the use of
pictures, drawings, film and
other types of media in
order to facilitate clear and
effective learning.
 • This level extends the
learning experience through
THE STUDY excursions and visits on the
different places that are not
TRIPS available inside the
classroom.
 • The level of study trips is
followed by exhibits. It is a
somewhat a combination of
THE EXHIBITS some of the first levels in
the cone. Actually, exhibits
are combination of several
mock ups and models.
 • The next levels would be the
level of television and motion
THE pictures and still pictures,
TELEVISION recordings, and Radio. For
AND MOTION television and motion pictures,
PICTURES ETC. it implies values and messages
through television and films.
THE VISUAL SYMBOLIC AND VERBAL SYMBOLIC
• The last two levels would be the Visual symbolic and Verbal symbolic.
These two levels are the most complex and abstract among all the
components of the Cone of Experience.

VERBAL SYMBOLS

-They are not like an objects or ideas for

which they stand. They usually do not
contain visual clues their meaning.
THREE MAJOR
MODES OF
LEARNING
 ENACTIVE (DIRECT
EXPERIENCE)

• Enactive or direct experience

involves practicing with objects.
Enactive experience involves
concrete, immediate action and
use of the senses and body.
 • Iconic experience involves
interpreting images and
drawings . Iconic experience
is once removed from the
physical realm and limited to
two or three senses.

ICONIC (PICTORIAL
EXPERIENCE)
 • Symbolic experience involves
SYMBOLIC reading or hearing symbols. In
(HIGHLY symbolic experience, action is
ABSTRACT removed nearly al together and
the experience is limited to
EXPERIENCE) thoughts and ideas
 Where will be the student’s experiencing with this
instructional resource fit on the cone? How far is it
removed from real-life?

What kind of learning experience do you want to

provide in the classroom?
THE
INSTRUCTORS How does this instructional resource augment the
information supplied by the textbook?
CAN ASK THE
FOLLOWING: What and how many senses can students use to learn
this instructional material?

Does the instructional material enhance learning?