We all learn best by ‘having a go’ for ourselves - so the most effective materials give learners regular opportunities to learn by doing

This means learning in an active way:

• doing is more than just recalling knowledge - it’s about applying what you’ve learned
• learning by doing is often the best way to develop and practise skills and abilities
• materials should include a wide range of activities which are relevant, realistic and add value
• activities must allow for the different types of ‘learning style’ - people usually have a tendency to be activists, reflectors, theorists or pragmatists
• activities enable the learners to get things wrong in private (because making a mistake is often one of the best ways to learn!)
• the ‘doing’ should begin as soon as possible

Inspired by Phil Race’s Open Learning Handbook (Kogan Page).