Years ago an educator named EdgarDale (Educational Media, 1960), oftencited as the father of modern media in

education, developed from his experiencein teaching and his observations of

learners the "cone of experience”. Thecone's utility in selecting instructionalresources and activities is as practical

today as when Dale created it.

THE CONE

•10% of what they read• 20% of what they hear• 30% of what they see• 50% of what they hear and see - video• 70% of what they say or write• 90% of what they say as they dosomething

Pie Graph on Senses and Perception

Sight

Sound

Smell

Touch

Taste83%

11 %

3.5%1.5%

1%

Retention Rate Levels

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Readi

ng

Hearin

g

Seei

ng

Hearin

g &

Seein

gSa

ying

Hea

ring

,

Sayi

ng &

Doi

ng

The cone is based on the relationships of

various educational experiences to reality(real life). The bottom level of the cone, "directpurposeful experiences," represents

realityor the closest things to real, everyday life.

The opportunity for a learner to use a variety

or several senses (sight, smell, hearing,touching, movement) is considered in

the cone. Direct experience allows us to use all

senses. As you move up the cone, fewer senses are involved at each level.

The more sensory channels possible in interacting with a resource, the better the chance that many students can learn from it.

Each level of the cone above its base moves a learner a step further away from real- life experiences, so experiences focusing only on the use of verbal symbols are the furthest removed from real life.

Motion pictures (also television) is where it is on the cone because it is an observational experience with little or no opportunity to participate or use senses other than seeing and hearing.

The experiences below this one provide opportunity for the learner to enter into the experience in more ways, using more senses.

Contrived experiences are ones that are highly participatory and simulate real life situations or activities.

Dramatized experiences are defined as experiences in which the learner acts out a role or activity.

When Dale formulated the cone of experience, computers were not a part of educational or home settings, so they aren't part of the original cone.

NOTE THAT:

Dale’s Cone & Teaching

The importance of Dale's cone of experience is the tool it provides to help a teacher make decisions about resources or activities. Using your knowledge of the cone, you can ask yourself several questions about the potential value of a resource to student learning.