Benefits of hands-on learning

“I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.” Confucius

This quote mirrors the benefits of hands-on learning. Time and again, it has been proved that the hands-on learning environment provides students with a better understanding of any concept/topic/subject. Especially when it comes to science education, hands-on learning activities and materials go a long way in imparting experiential learning to students.

Some benefits of hands-on learning are as follows:

• Several studies have revealed that hands-on learning enables students to retain a subject/topic/concept at least three times better than they do in the normal chalk-and-talk classroom setting. Apart from better retention, hands-on learning activities provide students with a sense of accomplishment as they can apply their knowledge to solve real-life problems/situations.
• The hands-on learning approach works well in teaching students having learning difficulties, such as behavioral interference, auditory deficiencies, and so on.
• Teachers can pay their personal attention to every student in the hands-on learning setting. Teachers’ personal attention matters a lot to students, as it boosts their confidence and most importantly, their interest in the subject/topic.
• Last but not the least; the hands-on learning method goes a long way in developing critical thinking and decision-making skills in students. In the hands-on learning environment, students can take their decisions on the spot, which not only stimulates their learning experience but also hone up these two essential life skills.