The Benefits of Hands-on Learning for All Ages and Industries

Many people prefer to learn through seeing and doing. Regardless of preferences, this hands-on approach is an effective way to learn a variety of subjects and become a better problem solver. See what the research says about hands-on learning (aka experiential learning) and the best approaches to implementing it. 

What Is the Experiential Learning Model?

The official experiential learning model (ELM) was developed by David A. Kolb in the 1980s, focusing on four stages: experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting.

Any lesson that follows this model includes a concrete experience, followed by reflecting on the experience, thinking through conclusions, and actively experimenting or trying out what was learned. The most important aspect of this model is giving students the agency to reflect on their experience and findings. This starkly contrasts with listening to a lecturer and taking word-for-word notes.

The term experiential learning has evolved to broadly refer to hands-on learning methods that involve active reflection and experimentation.

Advantages of Hands-On Learning

For both adults and children, research largely confirms these overarching benefits of hands-on learning:  

• Better academic achievement
• Better information retention and recall
• Stronger critical thinking and problem-solving
• Improved ability to apply takeaways in real-life scenarios

Research into different age groups reveals further advantages that build on these gains.

Research on Hands-on Learning for Children

Like many educational research subjects, most of the research on hands-on learning focuses on children. Two recent rapid evidence assessments published by the British Educational Research Association and UCL analyzed dozens of peer-reviewed studies, and the results aligned on these benefits of hands-on learning for children:

• Long-term improvement in overall academic achievement
• Improved learning, with the strongest results in science and math subjects
• Better memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking
• A sense of agency, confidence, and motivation

The UCL research also noted that vocabulary development and social connection are two additional advantages of a hands-on learning approach.

Research on Hands-on Learning for Adults

Many significant studies explore the benefits of hands-on learning for adults, including: 

• Career success: The National Association of Colleges and Employers studied the effects of hands-on learning on Gen Z individuals in their early careers. In short, young professionals with a strong experiential learning background have better rates of career progression, career satisfaction, and positive mentor relationships. Additionally, they tend to earn an average of $15,000 more annually.
• Ability to overcome challenges: Research in the Update on Adult Learning Theory journal noted that experiential learning “significantly benefits adult education by making it more relevant, dynamic, and capable of addressing contemporary challenges.”

Even when adult students perceive that they don’t learn well from a hands-on or active learning curriculum, their test performance and other outcomes prove they actually learn better.

Hands-on adult experiential learning has tremendous benefits, especially when combined with other active learning methods. However, because some active learning strategies may conflict with each other, educators must always adapt to their students.

Industry-Specific Benefits of Hands-On Learning

Experiential Learning in Healthcare Education

Why is hands-on learning important for the medical field? Because it’s hands-on work! Many careers in health sciences involve not only complex procedures but also high-stakes decision-making, information retention, and teamwork. Hands-on learning exposes students to real-world scenarios before they perform similar actions in chaotic or emotional environments. For example, learning about brain surgery using a detailed brain model or preserved brain specimen prepares someone to perform real surgeries in the future.

Experiential Learning in Engineering Education

Critical thinking, good memory, and problem-solving skills drive success in any engineering role. Experiential learning provides authentic practice challenges that build all these skills. Students are encouraged to exercise their curiosity both during and after the initial hands-on experience, whatever it may be. They practice independent and team-based analysis, testing, and reflection, just as they will in a future engineering career.

What Is a Hands-On Learner?

While everyone benefits from hands-on learning, some individuals identify as hands-on learners because they know they thrive best with this type of instruction. There is no single definition of a hands-on learner. Individuals may be kinesthetic or tactile learners if they learn best by physically completing an exercise – or they may have other mixed learning preferences, such as auditory input or visual observation.  

These are common hands-on learner characteristics:

• Desire to touch and engage with materials rather than reading about them
• Retaining information best after seeing examples or physically moving (e.g., writing it down)
• Preference to apply learning to real-world applications
• Tendency to express emotion through movement, such as gesturing while talking

Finding Tools for Hands-On Learning

Whether you’re an educator, a student, or a lifelong learner of absolutely anything, you can get all the benefits of experiential learning by procuring the right tools. Consider these options:

• Simulation resources: Look for free simulation ideas or templates that align with the subject you’re learning. Consider technology to support this, like models (see below) or virtual simulation software.
• 3D models: From medical simulation to structural engineering, some things are better understood when viewed in 3D. If you can envision it, there’s probably already a model available for it. As hobby 3D printers become more popular and affordable, it’s also possible to create unique visual learning aids at home; the hands-on design process will reinforce the concept!
• Learning cards: From homemade flashcards to store-bought matching games, there’s a card for everything.
• Text-to-speech tools: If you learn best through listening, consider online tools and apps that can turn text (even whole textbooks) into audio.
• Maker spaces: If you’re practicing a trade or a new hobby, look for a maker space that will provide access to tools and a suitable workspace.

For all hands-on learning tools related to health sciences, count on Anatomy Warehouse! Browse our products today, and reach out to us if you need support or a custom quote.