Illustration of a tree with deep roots, symbolizing root cause analysis in experiential learning, with people collaboratively examining the roots.

Unlock Experiential Learning: How to Solve Problems at Their Root

Elliot Brynn in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive deep into the Fritz J. Roethlisberger Award-winning approach to transform your teaching and empower students to tackle real-world challenges effectively."

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, educators are constantly seeking innovative methods to enhance student engagement and foster critical thinking. Experiential learning, a hands-on approach that allows students to learn by doing, has emerged as a powerful tool. However, the effectiveness of experiential learning hinges on the ability to guide students in identifying and addressing the core issues within complex problems.

The Fritz J. Roethlisberger Memorial Award, a prestigious recognition in the field of management education, celebrates outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. In 2017, the award honored an article titled "Getting to the Root of the Problem in Experiential Learning," authored by Richard J. Miller and Rosemary Maellaro. This groundbreaking work explores the application of problem-solving and collective reflection techniques to improve learning outcomes, offering valuable insights for educators across disciplines.

This article delves into the key principles of Miller and Maellaro's award-winning approach, providing a comprehensive guide for educators looking to implement root cause analysis in their experiential learning programs. By mastering these techniques, educators can empower students to move beyond surface-level solutions and develop a deeper understanding of the underlying issues driving complex challenges.

Why Root Cause Analysis is Essential for Effective Experiential Learning

Illustration of a tree with deep roots, symbolizing root cause analysis in experiential learning, with people collaboratively examining the roots.

Traditional teaching methods often focus on rote memorization and the regurgitation of facts. While this approach can be effective for conveying basic knowledge, it often fails to equip students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in the real world. Experiential learning offers a refreshing alternative, allowing students to actively engage with the material and develop a deeper understanding through hands-on experience.

However, experiential learning can be challenging. Students may struggle to identify the core issues within a complex problem, leading to superficial solutions that fail to address the underlying causes. This is where root cause analysis comes in. By systematically investigating the factors contributing to a problem, students can uncover the root causes and develop targeted solutions that address the core issues.

Deeper Understanding: Students gain a more profound comprehension of the subject matter by actively engaging with the problem-solving process.
Enhanced Critical Thinking: Root cause analysis encourages students to think critically and analytically, developing essential skills for decision-making and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: By applying these techniques to real-world scenarios, students develop practical skills that are directly transferable to their future careers.
Improved Collaboration: Collective reflection and problem-solving foster teamwork and communication skills, essential for success in collaborative environments.

Miller and Maellaro's work emphasizes the importance of integrating root cause analysis into experiential learning programs. Their research demonstrates that by focusing on the underlying causes of problems, educators can significantly enhance student learning outcomes and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace.

Empowering the Next Generation of Problem Solvers

By incorporating root cause analysis into experiential learning, educators can empower students to become effective problem solvers, critical thinkers, and collaborative team members. As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex world, these skills will be essential for success. Embracing innovative approaches like the one championed by Miller and Maellaro is key to unlocking the full potential of experiential learning and preparing students for a bright future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1052562917722957, Alternate LINK

Title: Fritz J. Roethlisberger Memorial Award Goes To “Getting To The Root Of The Problem In Experiential Learning”

Subject: General Business, Management and Accounting

Journal: Journal of Management Education

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Kathy Lund Dean, Jeanie M. Forray

Published: 2017-08-03

Everything You Need To Know

Why is root cause analysis important in the context of experiential learning?

Experiential learning is enhanced when root cause analysis is incorporated because it allows students to move beyond surface-level solutions and address the fundamental issues driving complex challenges. Without this approach, students may struggle to identify the core issues within a problem, leading to superficial solutions that fail to address the underlying causes. Root cause analysis encourages deeper understanding, enhanced critical thinking, real-world application, and improved collaboration, elements that traditional methods may lack.

What are the key principles highlighted in the "Getting to the Root of the Problem in Experiential Learning" article, and why are they essential?

The "Getting to the Root of the Problem in Experiential Learning" article by Richard J. Miller and Rosemary Maellaro emphasizes the application of problem-solving and collective reflection techniques. This approach improves learning outcomes by focusing on the underlying causes of problems, and prepares them for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. This is essential because traditional methods often focus on rote memorization and regurgitation of facts which may fail to equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive in the real world.

How does incorporating root cause analysis enhance the effectiveness of experiential learning, and what specific advantages does it offer to students?

Root cause analysis, when applied to experiential learning, provides several key benefits. It fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter, enhances critical thinking skills, allows for the application of knowledge to real-world scenarios, and improves collaboration among students. These advantages prepare students to become effective problem solvers, critical thinkers, and collaborative team members, which are essential skills for success in today's complex world.

What is the significance of the Fritz J. Roethlisberger Memorial Award in relation to innovative teaching methods, and how does it connect to the concepts discussed?

The Fritz J. Roethlisberger Memorial Award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and learning in the field of management education. Richard J. Miller and Rosemary Maellaro received this recognition in 2017 for their work on integrating root cause analysis into experiential learning. This award underscores the importance of innovative teaching methods that empower students to tackle real-world challenges effectively.

How can educators effectively incorporate root cause analysis into their experiential learning programs to enhance student engagement and problem-solving skills?

Educators can integrate root cause analysis into their experiential learning programs by guiding students to systematically investigate the factors contributing to a problem. This involves using problem-solving and collective reflection techniques to uncover the underlying causes. By focusing on these underlying causes, educators can significantly enhance student learning outcomes and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st-century workplace. Educators empower students to move beyond surface-level solutions and develop a deeper understanding of the underlying issues driving complex challenges.