| Hands-on learning has become a common practice in | | | | attentive, [and] taking initiative." Students have a |
| classrooms across Canada, and around the world. But | | | | much easier time learning and process information |
| just what is hands-on learning, and how can science | | | | when they're having fun and genuinely interested in |
| teachers benefit from this interactive form of | | | | the project at hand. |
| teaching? It's simple really, hands-on learning is about | | | | Supplement traditional teach strategies with hands-on |
| learning by doing, and with VIRTmac's Magnetic | | | | learning techniquesTextbooks and manipulative |
| Classroom there's no limit to what you can create! | | | | learning tools can, and should, be used together to |
| Manipulative models - what they are and why they're | | | | provide students with a well-rounded learning |
| beneficial | | | | experience. This multifaceted approach to teaching |
| Manipulative models are physical objects that are | | | | helps to reinforce important concepts and tackle |
| used as teaching tools in order to engage students | | | | tough problems. Not sure how to incorporate |
| and introduce, practice, or remediate a variety of | | | | hands-on teaching techniques into your next biology |
| scientific concepts. Manipulatives can be as simple as | | | | unit? Here are just a few suggestions: |
| a grain of rice, or as sophisticated as the contents of | | | | 1. Introduce the topic with readings from the |
| a VIRTmac kit. Teachers who embrace hands-on | | | | textbook, followed by a hands-on activity |
| learning and incorporate manipulatives into their | | | | demonstrating the lesson's key points. Interactive |
| everyday lesson plans introduce their students to an | | | | learning activities can be used to build upon what |
| intuitive way of learning, and empower them to | | | | your students have read in the text, and what they |
| succeed. | | | | have discussed during class. |
| Biology teachers that have used a hands-on approach | | | | 2. Foster curiosity and creativity by introducing a new |
| to teaching have experienced the following benefits: | | | | unit using manipulative models and hands-on activities. |
| Benefits of Teaching Science With Manipulative | | | | This will help ensure your students grasp important |
| Models | | | | information right off the top. |
| - Students are able to remember material better, and | | | | 3. Plan a hands-on review activity prior to a unit test. |
| feel a much greater sense of accomplishment when | | | | These review tasks will help students establish the |
| the task is completed. This is because students have | | | | relationship between concepts and solidify their |
| a better chance of understanding and retaining | | | | knowledge. |
| concepts that are taught using manipulative models. | | | | There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states, |
| - Students who have difficulty learning due to | | | | "I hear and I forget |
| language barriers, auditory deficiencies, or behavioural | | | | I see and I remember |
| issues have a much easier time stay engaged and on | | | | I do and I understand." |
| task when manipulative models are introduced. | | | | Manipulative model kits help students develop critical |
| - Most importantly, students enjoy learning about | | | | thinking skills and learn complex scientific concepts. |
| science when manipulative models are used. Karina | | | | Don't just teach your students to remember |
| LeBlanc, VP, Autism Pro. remarks that, when using | | | | information - help them understand the different |
| VIRTmac manipulative models, "the students are | | | | facets of science with manipulative model educational |
| excited about science, eager to get to class, | | | | kits. |