People learn by doing:

This is not a new idea. Artistotle had something to say on the matter:

" 'Anything that we have to learn to do we learn by the actual doing of it... We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate ones, brave by doing brave ones.' (Aristotle Niconachean Ethics, Book II, p.91). "

People get bored and put off with when too much information is thrown at them and they find themselves in information overload. They remember little of what has been said.

Active learning is all about discovery. If people discover something for themselves, they find it far more rewarding than being lectured at. Active learning encourages the discovery process. By carrying out a series of structured tasks with clear guidance, learners discover things for themselves.

The EP@W programmes speak directly with learners in their workplaces and provides the materials and guidance to do practical things at work that both enhance learning and improve the workplace.

Doing
Our programmes use active verbs, to emphasise the doing

People can carry out surveys, complete questionnaires, find information, plan and set targets, check existing provisions, write procedures, monitor aspects and measure impacts. There are so many things to do to improve the health and environment in your workplace.

EP@W learned that people doing things at work, not only learned better, but they also improved work processes - demonstrably. We could see the results of their achievement.

Learning Outcomes
'Learning by doing' encourages teachers, trainers and tutors to think through what can be expected of learners. This helps tutors be clear about the aims and the likely learning outcomes. Aims are the long term expectations. Learning outcomes spell out what people can be expected to do.

Active learning enables deliverers to listen and watch what is happening, assess effectiveness, and change accordingly.