Technology Off, Hands On

LYN ZHANG STAFF WRITTER
In a classroom, students are typically asked to take notes, do worksheets, take tests and then do test corrections. However, this continual cycle is detrimental to the students, as it may not be the best learning method for some students and it destroys their creativity. In order for students to truly learn and develop their imaginative and creative side, more hands-on projects and activities should be implemented in the classroom.
The cycle of notes and and worksheets may not be suitable for some students, because each student has different learning styles. Those who do not learn well from simply listening to lectures and doing written assignments may have a hard time understanding the information presented. However, with hands-on activities, they will be presented with a more interactive learning style, one that may be more suitable for them.
In addition, the system treats every students the same exact way by making them do the same worksheets and problems as everyone else, which limits the development of their creativity and imagination. This is exactly where hands-on activities come in: students can create their own unique project, driven entirely by their own ideas and creative side, while learning the content. By giving students their own space to express their interpretation of the information, they will learn that they have the power to create things. In the increasingly technological era, allowing students to impose their imagination and creativity on touching and manipulating something physical is more necessary than ever.
While hands-on activities do not have to become a scheduled activity in school, teachers should have students do some where they see fit with the content, as they allow students to engage in and solidify what they are learning and, most importantly, develop their imagination and creativity.