We’ve often been told that “the best way to learn something is to do it yourself.” Here’s how hands-on activities improve understanding and encourage active learning!
Learning styles: an overview
As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, most people have a preferred method of absorbing new information. In general, learning styles are broken down into three categories: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
- Visual learning is the most common form of instruction and is typically what we think of when we imagine a classroom. A teacher demonstrating a concept on a whiteboard is a classic example of visual instruction, and this is often considered the “primary” form of learning in a traditional classroom setting.
- Auditory learning is when new information is spoken to the listener, either in person or through pre-recorded instruction. While purely auditory instruction is used in elementary schools to a degree, this form of teaching really takes a prime spot in higher education. In college and university courses, many students will be expected to listen to a professor’s lecture while simultaneously taking notes in real-time.
- Kinesthetic learning, also called tactile learning, is the main approach for a “hands-on” style. Kinesthetic learning is important at all levels of education, especially in fields where hand-eye coordination and dexterity is important (ranging from culinary arts to surgical procedures). For younger children, hands-on instruction can be an excellent hybrid of the above learning styles – allowing students to engage in an interactive learning experience.
Check out The Importance of Recognizing Individual Learning Styles for more information.
Hands-on activities
When it comes to hands-on activities, it’s important to remember that kinesthetic learning doesn’t necessarily require the use of special materials. For example, when students are first learning to write themselves and are instructed to practice “staying in the lines” on their letter charts, they are engaging in hands-on learning. Examples of hands-on activities can include:
- Writing stories or poetry
- Practicing math problems
- Making visual aids, flashcards, or posters
- Preparing a meal
- Shopping for groceries
- Painting, drawing, or coloring
- Playing an instrument
For younger children, hands-on activities can also include using toys or objects to illustrate concepts. For example, building toys can help students understand concepts about architecture, structural stability, measurements, design, and more. Check out our top educational toys for each age group!
Even basic concepts in mathematics are often best explained with a hands-on approach. Our personal favorite example is fractions. Trying to verbally explain to a student why 4/8 really equals 1/2 isn’t easy – and even with visual demonstrations on a whiteboard, reducing fractions is still an area many students struggle with.
However, when a student has a pizza with 8 slices in front of them and is instructed to remove 4 of them, it immediately becomes clear that half the pizza remains. As silly as it sounds, hands-on examples like these can provide a fun and memorable way to illustrate concepts that might otherwise be confusing!