The ‘Head Heart Hand’ Model for Effective Teaching

In the context of lifelong learning, researchers believe it is possible to achieve quality education by changing the learning culture.

It must encompass the three domains of learning: cognitive (head), affective (heart), and psychomotor (hands), as well as a variety of strategies, methods, and procedures. Diverse teaching approaches and strategies like these can be used by skilled educators to create a more engaging learning environment.

Education traditionally emphasizes the power of the head and the knowledge we have acquired. We often overlook and ignore the power of our hearts and hands. But our hands are the tools we use to express our creativity. Learning needs a vision that celebrates all three.

The 3 H model – ‘HEAD, HEART, HANDS’ model was developed through understanding sustainable education, transformative learning theories and finally experiential learning.

The learning domains are correlated and refer to:

Head: Cognitive – how you think

Heart: Affective – relating to moods feelings and attitudes

Hands: Psycho motor – relating to movement or putting into action.

• A person’s head is associated with their cognitive function and logical reasoning:

By focusing on the head, learners are given something to think about, which encourages them to develop knowledge and interpret new experiences through academic study and inquiry. Traditional teaching practices emphasize this by making students think and memorize using their intellect. By exploring available resources, they build primarily on their literacy skills. It includes giving assignments, research, reading and analysing related studies and resources.

• Affective function, emotions, and feelings are all related to the heart:

For involving the heart, learners are given something to feel. They are nudged to bring in their feelings to what is being learnt and reflect on the experiences created. Here, the abilities for critical thinking, creativity, communication, and teamwork are incorporated in. They may be asked how comfortable were they in class, whether they felt free to ask questions, and whether they needed additional help to understand the material.

• Hands are about action, practicality, and physicality:

For involving the hands give them something to do. Learners practically apply their knowledge or new ideas to their surroundings. The learners build in themselves skills of taking initiative, leadership and social skills wherein they collaborate and co work. Examples are, doing a presentation, a seminar or design a game, a role play, building a prototype using the concept discussed with others etc.

When using the 3h model in classes, teachers must keep in mind:

It operates in a cyclical fashion, and each of these Hs is crucial. As a result, pay attention to each one and give it equal merit. When they read a chapter, worked on a project, or participated in a group project, ask them how did they feel? This allows emotions to be processed. Help them to develop an emotional vocabulary to enhance their self-awareness. Inquire about what they can do to help their friends understand what they have understood. Thus, they will be encouraged to think outside the box and push themselves.

The most important thing is to believe that students will participate actively in their own education.

The 3 H model is a process for learning that goes beyond merely acquiring knowledge and supports significant ways in which students actively make sense of their life. This way of learning leads to a fundamental transformation in our worldview as a result of shifting away from mindless and unquestioning acceptance of the information at hand, to reflective and conscious educational experiences which is the only kind that truly enables liberation.