The first step of The 4MAT System is designed to engage the learner in a concrete experience
which leads to a search of prior knowledge and prior experience. This search is designed to create an interactive group dialogue which connects what the learner already knows and believes
to what the teacher intends to teach. In this dialogue there are no correct answers. Learners
experience and compare their perceptions of their existing state of knowledge and work cooperatively to create an overall learning set from which to proceed. In this step the teacher encourages diversification of ideas, dialogue and participation. Note McCarthy’s application of Kolb’s
concrete experience and reflective modes for making sense of the learning environment, as well
as the engagement and encouragement of subjective valuation, Jung’s feeling function. This step
is also designed to encourage relational, symbolic thinking which is a right hemispheric function.