Unit 1: What is Hands-On Learning?
Thomas Parker: Using Hands-On Activities in Science
UNIT OBJECTIVE
1.0 Participants will be able to identify the core components that make up a hands-on learning activity. (Bloom's level 1&2)
1.1 Explain what the term "hands-on learning" entails.(enabling)
1.2 Differentiate between hands-on learning and other learning strategies.(enabling)
1.What is hands on learning?
An aggregate definition from multiple sources is "Hands-on-learning means learning by doing." So what makes this "doing" any different than any other "doing" like what you're doing right now, reading this lesson? Take a look at the following article: [| "IS HANDS-ON LEARNING BETTER?"] Written by Jonathan Arnholz, NCCER Social Media Specialist. The overall topic of this article is the components of hands on learning that is beneficial for learners. Feel free to jot down the main ideas in your notebook as your reading. This will get you as a learner to a pseudo hands on learning instead of solely reading.
2. Brainstorming Activity
I would like you to complete an short activity now. In your notebook, do some brainstorming on some activities that you would consider to be hands-on learning. Do they fit the narrative from the article in this unit? If you were a part of any of these, think about how they went. Do you believe they were successful? Why?
3. Watch This!
Now that you have finished brainstorming, watch this video on hands-on learning.
Has this video changed your outlook on hands-on learning? Hearing from a student themselves can be a great point of view for identifying what works and isn't working. Do you think any of your proposed ideas from the brainstorm still fit to you knowledge of hands-on learning? If so, then those are most likely solid hands-on activities that we should consider as teachers.
Want to dig deeper?
If you would like to read more on what is and isn't hands-on learning, you can check out this article: [article]. This will help bridge into the following upcoming units as well. You can also find a link to this article in the extra resources section on the course main page.