Kolb and Fry developed a way of looking at the learning process called the Experiential Learning Cycle. Learning is the acquisition of new knowledge, skills and attitudes. Learning is seen as happening in a cycle made up of four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation.

To put it simply, first the learner must experience something directly - concrete experience. Next the learner reflects on the experience, comparing it to what s/he already knows - reflective observation. The learner then thinks about his or her observations and develops some new ideas about how things work - abstract conceptualization. Finally, the learner acts on what has been observed and thought about - active experimentation. The active experimentation stage then becomes the basis of future learning. Complete learning happens when learner moves through all four stages and the new knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes become the basis for new behavior.