Is hands on the same as active learning?

While hands-on learning and active learning are strongly related and often overlap, they aren't exactly the same. Hands-on learning is a *subset* of active learning.

* Hands-on learning focuses on learning by doing – physically interacting with materials, equipment, or the subject matter itself. Think science experiments, building models, practicing a musical instrument, or coding a program. The emphasis is on tangible interaction.

* Active learning is a broader concept. It encompasses any learning strategy where students are actively engaged in the learning process, rather than passively receiving information. This could include hands-on activities, but also discussions, debates, problem-solving exercises, projects, simulations, and peer teaching. The emphasis is on mental and cognitive engagement.

Therefore, all hands-on learning is active learning, but not all active learning is hands-on. You can be actively engaged in learning without physically manipulating objects.