According to Hsieh Chi-mou, the concepts underpinning this way of thinking originally come from American thinker and advocate of pragmatism John Dewey. After examining the methods of teaching in use, Dewey determined that they were detached from real life and thus insufficient to meet students 'needs. Then in the 1930s he advocated "learning by doing," "education is the product of experience," and other concepts.
謝智謀表示，體驗學習的教育理論源自於美國實用主義哲學家杜威，他有鑑於學院派的教育方式與生活疏離，無法滿足學生需要，便在三○年代提出「做中學」、「教育是經驗的改造」等觀念。