There are 87,498 elementary schools in the United States. In recent years, schools like Acton Elementary have been developing a new approach to education. One of the principles of the methodology involves learning by doing. This article will explore what it means to learn by doing and why it is considered more effective.
It Encourages Student Discovery Over Instruction
One approach that enables children to learn by doing is discovery. That is unlike instruction discovery provides materials for students to explore. The teacher offers little guidance, and children learn by interacting with the material.
Schools like Acton Elementary Academy encourage students to learn by doing for memory retention. Learning by the application of the materials is a way to boost short-term memory and encourage active participation.
It Allows Learning Languages through Practice
Another example of how students learn by doing is through the acquisition of a new language. The approach encourages children to speak the language rather than read grammar rules. It places the learners in situations similar to what a native speaker would face.
In these instances, children acquire knowledge from peers who speak the language as their native tongue. Research has shown that direct experience aids in understanding concepts and in boosting memory retention. Alternative middle school curriculum may include programs where students take part in cultural programs.
It Allows for Self-Generated Knowledge
The approach also encourages children to engage with the material and get into the details. Students tend to remember better when they generate the knowledge by themselves. That is opposed to simply taking the information from an instructor.
The approach is also referred to as the generation effect. Instructors think of themselves as moving information into the children’s brain. But learning by doing encourages students to instead draw the information from the book.
An example of a self-generated process would include re-writing a section of an essay from the student’s perspective. The approach forces the student to think through the material rather than read it passively.
It Allows for Practical Experience with Positive Feedback
Educators encourage schools to adopt learn by doing principles such as gaining knowledge through practice rather than reading. However, the practical experience must be coupled with positive feedback to be effective.
If the student is going to use trial and error, there must be a feedback system to give them direction. Without positive feedback, it is not impossible to reinforce bad attitudes that may already be present. In such cases, the negative habits may become even worse with practice.
It Teaches Students How to Ask Good Questions
To encourage children to learn by doing, instructors must learn to ask good questions. For example, before starting a new topic, the teacher may ask students to write any relevant questions. That process forces learners to think through the material and focus on the subject at hand.
Learning by doing is one of the methodologies that private schools are applying to bring out the best in their students. The approach primarily involves giving students lots of opportunities for practice but with excellent feedback for guidance. The system encourages autonomy, creativity, and memory retention.