Learning using Hands-on-Activities Supported by Instructional Videos and Simulations for Basic Sciences
Author : Pravin Joshi and Rajendra Vadnere
Abstract :
Engaging learners in ‘hands-on-activities’ is considered to be one of the best practices in teaching as it enables deeper understanding of concepts in science and it help to increase average retention rate. Hands-on-activities can be undertaken either using actual (physical) material or in virtual manner using simulation software. They may be either undertaken independently or under the supervision or guidance of mentor/teacher. Learning of the underlying principles of Science is effective when the students are engaged in the ‘Hands-on-Activity’ which is supplemented with discussions on various aspects of the activities and theories behind the phenomenon studied. After performing such activity and upon due reflection on the underlying theories and mechanisms playing part in making the activity work, one expects increase in the level of the curiosity in the students which further encourages them to undertake more such activities and make them explain unexplained phenomena for other activities. To conduct such activities, there is no need to set-up big laboratory with expensive apparatus. The proper blending of the traditional method of teaching with the active or participatory teaching-learning method would perhaps be the practical approach to achieve the goal of acquiring the desired learning outcomes and also improve the retention rate of learning in the cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains.
Keywords :
Hand-on activity, blended learning, pyramid learning, simulations and modeling
