Learners learn through all of their senses, therefore the more hands on the better the learning outcome.
https://blog.mclabs.com/t-tof-7-benefits-of-incorporating-hands-on-learning-into-your-classroom-training
This is a link to a short list of reasons why hands on learning is important if you want to read more. The summarized version is that it increases retention, increases engagement, allows for instant feedback, allows extra practice, alleviates risk, accommodates different learning styles, and it improves problem solving skills.
Because there are multiple different types of simulations, all of these important aspects of hands on learning can be accomplished through them. Simulations allow the possibility of practicing real life situations, prior to them happening. Because it is applicable to their life they will be engaged with the content, also raising the amount of information they will retain. They can receive feedback from their trainer, and run through the simulation again with that feedback in mind, causing for instant improvement.
For high risk and high cost scenarios, simulations are an excellent way to go to ensure your learner will be ready for the real thing once they are faced with it.
https://blog.mclabs.com/t-tof-7-benefits-of-incorporating-hands-on-learning-into-your-classroom-training
This is a link to a short list of reasons why hands on learning is important if you want to read more. The summarized version is that it increases retention, increases engagement, allows for instant feedback, allows extra practice, alleviates risk, accommodates different learning styles, and it improves problem solving skills.
Because there are multiple different types of simulations, all of these important aspects of hands on learning can be accomplished through them. Simulations allow the possibility of practicing real life situations, prior to them happening. Because it is applicable to their life they will be engaged with the content, also raising the amount of information they will retain. They can receive feedback from their trainer, and run through the simulation again with that feedback in mind, causing for instant improvement.
For high risk and high cost scenarios, simulations are an excellent way to go to ensure your learner will be ready for the real thing once they are faced with it.
"Learners learn through all of their senses, therefore the more hands on the better the learning outcome." M. Sposato
ReplyDeleteYour statement objectifies mine and most of my fellow Fellows approach to instruction. Our role as platform instructors now involve less lecture and more collaboration, team projects, briefings, and digital exercises than ever before.
The Microtek Blog you provided really just explained the why behind hands on learning. I offer this as an incentive to the flexible hand on approach to facilitating learning.
Think back to the first lesson you learned. It probably predates your primary school days. How did your learn this lesson? Was it through a coloring book? Cartoons? Lecture? Interpretive Dance? Probably not any of the above. I am willing to bet the first lesson you learned, if you remember it today, is because the outcome of the event resulted in a traumatic experience equal and proportionate to your experience with experiences.
For example, tell a baby not to put something in its mouth. The baby will do it anyways. If the baby finds the taste of that something the most unpleasant thing it has tasted in its short life span, it's behavior will be changed to never put a thing like that in its mouth again.
Learning through experience (trauma). Behaviorism/Darwinism at their best.
Michaela,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and article. Hand on learning is one of the most important processes in learning a new skill, especially a psychomotor skill. Including hands-on practical exercise gives the students an opportunity to enhance their skills without the fear of failing. This will prepare students for real world future situations and gives instructors an opportunity to evaluate the student’s performance to ensure they have grasped and understood the material and instructions. Thanks for sharing the important of hands-on learning.
Billy
Billy,
DeleteThank you for taking the time and reading. One thing that you highlight is on practicing without the fear of failing. Even if a students skills aren't perfected, they now at least have higher confidence while performing the task. Confidence is very important in learning because it helps maintain motivation. Thank you for your input
-Michaela
Michaela,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post, this hits home with me more so because of the type of learner I am and my experiences in understanding how to apply new knowledge gained. It took me years to understand what type of learner I am, but more importantly how to apply that learning style to my environment.
Tony
Tony,
DeleteI have the same opinion as you on this. I have a hard time applying what I have learned if I haven't practiced it before. Of all the styles I am definitely most a kinesthetic learner. Learning through simulations is a good way for learners like you and I to retain knowledge.
-Michaela
Michaela,
ReplyDeleteGreat post on what simulation can do for you. Above all, I appreciate the summation upfront about increasing retention and engagement, providing instant feedback, and additional practice. To include accommodating the varying learning styles and improving problem solving skills.
I can say without a doubt, I am a multi-modal learner with varying preferences and hands on is high up there for me but not as high as read/write. I do enjoy practicing with simulations because as you said it definitely give you the ability to execute whatever task you are trying to do without being at risk or failing for real. I support your statement that it helps with problem solving skills- just because you are doing something using hands on or psychomotor skills...doesn't mean you aren't observing and adding to you mental schema or cognition state. This is a good post and thank you for continuing to post about simulation. Just a question- has there been simulation or articles about simulations being used in a school setting K-12? just curious. Thanks.
~Nick A.
Nick,
DeleteThank you for your question. I have only read one thing about simulations in a k-12 setting, and that was with high school biology classes. It looks as though some school districts are giving students the option to dissect animals through simulation, rather than using real ones. This is done to accommodate the rising number of young vegetarians/animal activists. Unfortunately I cannot find the exact article that I once read, but those are the general details. As for any younger, I have not heard of anything just yet, but it is exciting to see what they'll do!
-Michaela
Hi Michaela,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your summary that 'for high risk and high cost scenarios, simulations are an excellent way to go to ensure your learner will be ready for the real thing once they are faced with it.' In field of education, simulation can improve the proficiency and increase the confidence of users.
Jialu
Jialu,
DeleteThis is my #1 reason to support simulations. It is very efficient and cost friendly. It also helps to increase the students confidence which is always the most important thing. I am happy you were able to pick that out.
-Michaela
Michaela,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I especially like the brief snapshot of your topic, Simulation, which is, "The summarized version is that it increases retention, increases engagement, allows for instant feedback, allows extra practice, alleviates risk, accommodates different learning styles, and it improves problem solving skills."
I can easily relate this to my eLearning Microlearning video that i recently completed about Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality. The concept was along the same lines in which the learner is "practicing" while contained in a safe and controlled environment.
It directly ties to your next point, "For high risk and high cost scenarios, simulations are an excellent way to go to ensure your learner will be ready for the real thing once they are faced with it." The initial cost of a simulated setup might be costly but it ultimately keeps the cost down on high risk and high cost situations.
Thanks for a great post.
--Lisa
Michaela,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for providing the link as well! I really enjoyed looking at it! This post hits home because, I am a hands on learner and always have been!
Marianna