Benefits of Activity-Based Learning

Activity-based learning

is a student-centric, experiential, teaching methodology. It functions on the core belief that learning should be acquired through hands-on activities. The learners are thus actively engaged with the content I that is being taught both mentally and physically. It provides rich and varied experiences to the students, thereby building their knowledge, skills, and values. Additionally, the self-confidence of learners is boosted as they explore both familiar and unfamiliar concepts in creative ways.

Let’s look at some of the benefits:

1.Long-term memory retention

According to the information processing theory, when students garner knowledge through experimentation (i.e hand-on activities), they tend to retain that information in their long-term memory. This process of learning through personal experience also helps learners in easily understanding whatever they learn.

2. Develops curiosity and analytical thinking

This teaching method encourages learners to seek new experiences, develop an interest in learning, strengthen their vocabulary and read new books. These actions foster curiosity and critical thinking in students.  Most importantly, it enables them to understand and learn from their own experience.

3. Builds social skills

Social development of students is fully supported by the activity-based learning method. Since the students learn by doing tasks independently or in groups, a deep sense of responsibility is instilled in them along with the skills of co-operation, delegation, negotiation, and communication. These skills are essential for their future work and social lives.

4. Gives them a real-life connection

Experiential learning aligns the real-world experiences of the students with the subject matter they learn in the classroom.  Hence, they are practicing and applying relevant knowledge and skills at all times. Students navigate their learning requirements better and are equipped to handle ambiguities. When learners see the impact they can have by solving a problem in their own, little, corner of the world, it motivates them to work harder and apply other pieces of knowledge to the problems around them.

5. Encourages students to express themselves

Students are encouraged to be creative in the way they assert their knowledge when they learn through activity-based learning. This teaching methodology builds divergent thinking in students, allowing them to express themselves better in many different ways.  They will not only be exploring, entertaining and expressing new perspectives, but they will also be self-motivated to do so.

The old Chinese proverb, “Tell me and I forget.  Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand,” perfectly sums up activity-based learning.