Creator of Cone of Experience

The Cone of Experience is devised by?

Correct Answer: Edgar Dale

The Cone of Experience was devised by Edgar Dale in 1965. It is a visual model that explains the inter-relationship of the various sources of learning experience, ranging from the most abstract (verbal symbols) at the top to the most concrete (direct purposeful experiences) at the base.

About the Cone of Experience

• It shows that learners retain more when they learn through concrete, active experiences rather than passive, abstract ones.
• The cone has 10 levels — from direct experiences at the bottom to pure symbols/verbal abstractions at the top.
• At the base: Direct, Purposeful Experience (most concrete, most retained).
• At the apex: Verbal Symbols (most abstract, least retained).

Key Contributors in Extension Education

• Edgar Dale (1965): Cone of Experience.
• J.P. Leagans: Father of Extension Education.
• E.M. Rogers: Adoption Process / Diffusion of Innovations.
• Wilson & Gallup: AIDCAS steps of extension teaching.

Memory Tip

Dale's Diagram = Cone of experience. Both start with D.