here is what i found about hands-on learning, take a look

Hands-on Learning

GOALS

• Helps student aquire knowledge and skills outside of books and lectures.
• Learning can occur through work, play or other life experiences.
• Teachers can measure knowledge and comprehension.
• Activities might encourage the learner to learn more about a specific topic.
• Demands student involvement.
• Work-based learning.
• Can intensify interests, skills, strengths and needs related to career development.
• Involves students with all different learning styles.
• Students with dissabilities, ADD, AHD, and who speak Enlish as 2nd language can all take part in hands-on activities.
• Allows learners to form and asnwer questions that someday be related to real life experiences.
• Hands-on learning encourages working in groups, an therefore helps individuals learn from each other.
• Encourages the individual to be a more social person, and enhances the ability to ask and communicate with other individuals.
• Opens the possibilty in front of everyone to master a certain field and be creative in it.

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/eric/eric-6.htm
http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000328/Hands-On_Learning.html