Question

Arrange the following activities in ascending order of retention of learning material by trainees in a training programme as per modified Dale's Cone of Experience by Sheal (1989).
(A) Doing the real thing
(B) Reading
(C) Listening
(D) Seeing
(E) Both listening & seeing
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (B), (A), (C), (E), (D)
• B. (B), (C), (D), (E), (A)
• C. (A), (E), (B), (C), (D)
• D. (C), (A), (B), (D), (E)

Hint:

Active learning methods (such as "Doing the real thing") yield much higher retention rates than passive methods (such as "Reading" or "Listening").

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience classifies sensory experiences based on their level of concreteness and retention.
Sheal (1989) modified this concept to show the relationship between the learning method and the estimated retention rate of information.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
According to Sheal's model, retention rates for different learning activities increase as the learner moves from passive to active participation:
Reading (B): Yields the lowest retention rate, estimated at approximately 10%.
Listening (C): Hearing verbal explanations yields a retention rate of approximately 20%.
Seeing (D): Viewing charts or slides yields a retention rate of approximately 30%.
Both Listening & Seeing (E): Watching a video or demonstration yields a retention rate of approximately 50%.
Doing the real thing (A): Active learning through direct experience yields the highest retention rate, estimated at approximately 90%.
Arranging these in ascending order (lowest to highest retention): (B) $\rightarrow$ (C) $\rightarrow$ (D) $\rightarrow$ (E) $\rightarrow$ (A).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct ascending order is (B), (C), (D), (E), (A), corresponding to option (B).