A new learning method is duaction which combines lessons with action. It implies learning by doing. Think about solving a math problem when you are making a toy, learning science when you are doing an experiment – that is Duaction. It is learning by doing. In this paper, we are going to discuss what Duaction is, why it is important, and how it will assist us in learning.

What is Duaction?

Duaction is one method of learning where one does something as they learn about it. The term is the result of the combination of dual (meaning two) and action (meaning doing). In Duaction, a skill or idea is learned and applied immediately. You may study science by doing a real experiment, or study math by making something out of numbers. In this manner, learning is not about sitting and doing nothing in a chair but being active and engaged. That is, Duaction assists you in visualising the way ideas are applied in the real life as you study them.

A Bit of History

Duaction as a concept is quite ancient. Many years ago, individuals used to acquire knowledge through practice. As an illustration, a youth who was being trained as a blacksmith or a carpenter would not simply read books, he would be assisting in the workshop. Even Aristotle, a renowned Greek instructor, indicated that we know things when doing them. This concept has been referred to by modern teachers as Duaction but it is simply learning by doing in a different name. Nowadays we are Duactioning everywhere in other ways such as having some science experiments in class, coming up with models or having hands on projects with the use of computers.

How Duaction Works

Duaction constitutes a process of learning and doing. You acquire a new concept or a skill in the first one, a teacher, a book or a video. Then you try it out in some real project or activity. At last you find out what it was and know even better what you have done. To illustrate; you may get to know the working of circuits, then go on to make a little light up circuit and see how it works. This educational-do loop assists ideas to be more ingrained into memory since you observe ideas in actual life.

Here are the simple steps:

• Learn: This instruction begins with hearing or reading about new information (such as a rule of a science or math trick).
• Do a project: Use that idea in an actual project, e.g. scientific experiment, make a model, write a short program.
• See what has happened: Monitor the outcomes, rectify errors, learn a lesson.

At each step you are learning and doing it. You can take the example of planting a seed and watching it grow, as you have learnt about plants that require water and sun. You will never forget that lesson as well because you have personally witnessed it.

Benefits of Duaction

• Existence of better memory: Real projects enable knowledge to cling to your mind.. The brain takes in experiences and they tend to stick out and hence the longer you do this the longer you remember the lesson.
• More exciting and engaging: Dynamic learning is thrilling. Learning is fun when you are constructing or experimenting and the students are not bored. According to Cornell researchers, it is doing activities to enable the students to relate with what they have learned and to be motivated.
• Real skills: Duaction allows training you in real tasks (such as writing an uncomplicated game in a programming language, making a bridge out of sticks, or running a science experiment). You do not learn facts in a book but skills that will be useful in the real life or in future employment.
• Trust and collaboration: The completion of a project makes you proud and confident. In addition, there are numerous activities involving Duactions that are carried out in groups. This implies that you will learn to communicate, exchange ideas and solve problems with your peers.
• Faster comprehension: Since you put into practice what you have learned in the present moment, you tend to pick it up faster as compared to simple listening. You can see how it is in action, which makes you conceive the notion much sooner.

Duaction in Action: Examples

Duaction may be applied to virtually any subject or activity. The following are just some of the ways it is used by people:

• Science experiments: You read about volcanoes but you can create your own volcano and with the press of a button you can see the volcano erupt.
• Math in real life: You know how to add and how to divide by fractions, you learn this by cooking (measuring ingredients) or by playing with blocks.
• Coding and robotics You get to learn how to program by writing a simple video game or driving a robot, as opposed to reading about it in a textbook.
• Art and music: You study the art by painting a picture, or you study music by playing a musical instrument.
• Zoo and field trips: As an example, your visit to Zoo and learning about animals by seeing them can teach you more than reading about animals.
• Small projects: Science and math can be learned even in running a recipe or planting a garden since you are doing the job.

These are illustrations of how Duaction makes the study a reality. Whenever you are practicing anything practical in connection with what you study, Duaction is in action.

How to Try Duaction

Duaction can be applied in your self-learning. To actualize learning put into practice:

• Begin with a set objective: Select a project or a question to do in regards to whatever you wish to learn. In the following example, I would ask, how do I make a paper airplane fly far? Then brainstorm on a basic project on the same.
• Prepare materials: organize before you begin: get the materials you will require (such as materials, books or websites). When you are constructing a robot, get the parts; when you are cooking, get the ingredients.
• Split it into phases: Do the project in phases. Make sure and take one step at a time. An example is that in an experiment you can be adding chemicals and you can do only one step and see what changes before you do another.
• Request assistance and feedback: Discuss your action. During work, ask a teacher, friend or parent to give advice. They are able to point out what you have overlooked or offer a more effective way.
• Reflect later: Use reflection when you have completed, reflect on what you have learned or even discussed. What worked well? is a question to ask yourself. Why was this the case, and how can I do better in the future? This contemplation makes this learning even more permanent.

As an illustration, when you need to know about fractions, you can watch a short video online on how the fractions are accomplished, and then you can bake cookies and measure them with measuring cups to experience the fractions. Duaction may occur at any place of work – at the classroom, at home, and even using computer applications. The point is: use the idea as you study it, make it a reality.

Conclusion

Duaction makes the process of learning an adventure. Students get to learn more quickly and better by working on actual projects and solving problems. It brings school subjects to the real world making lessons come alive. Duaction is not intended to substitute with the usual learning, it simply makes it to be more interesting and realistic. Wherever teachers, parents, and students are, whether it is in the classroom, at home or even on-line Duaction ideas can be applied. To learn more about this form of learning visit the Wikipedia page on experiential learningen.wikipedia.org. Duaction will demonstrate that we learn best when we learn by doing.