“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” This quote by Benjamin Franklin encapsulates the essence of experiential learning, a hands-on approach to education that actively engages students in the learning process.
Experiential learning goes beyond traditional classroom methods by encouraging students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings. This approach benefits school students in many ways.
It enhances retention and understanding of concepts by providing concrete, practical experiences.
It also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students navigate real-life challenges encouraging them to explore, experiment, and discover new ideas on their own.
Two math concepts that teachers at The Heritage School North Campus have effectively explained through experiential learning are probability and geometry.
The teachers used a simple experiment like flipping a coin to explain the concept of probability. By flipping the coin multiple times and recording the outcomes, students can visually see how the probability of getting heads or tails changes with each flip. This hands-on approach helps students understand the concept of probability better than just learning the theory.
In geometry, teachers used building blocks and string to create different shapes and angles. By physically manipulating objects, students developed a deeper understanding of geometric principles and how they relate to the world around them.
Experiential learning empowers students to become active, lifelong learners who are well-equipped to succeed in an ever-changing world.