What's wrong with hands-OFF learning, anyway?

September 17, 4:55 PMInformal Education ExaminerLisa Jo Rudy

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Just drinking in the world

Hands-on learning is a terrific idea.  You get right in there, and you DO something.  As a result of doing, you learn.

Hands-on learning can be used in a million and one situations, and it can teach almost anything.  Maybe it's something academic (think math manipulatives or dioramas).  Maybe it's something useful (cooking, for instance).  Maybe it's something that you've always wanted to try (singing, skiing, golfing). 

In all the new interest in hands-on learning, though, we've forgotten the wonders of hands-off, uninvolved, simple, basic learning.

You can learn an awful lot about people (and pigeons) just by sitting on a bench in a park in New York City. 

You can build your understanding of acoustics, math and human interactions by sitting, hands in your lap, at a school concert.

You can gain tremendous insight into astronomy by idly standing around and staring up on a cloudless night.

Of course there's a lot to be said for getting in there, getting your hands dirty, and engaging with the world.  But informal education happens every minute of every day -- even if your hands are stock still and you add not one single word to the conversation.

Just because a kid (or adult) isn't talking or doing, don't assume he (or she) isn't learning.