Ditch the Lectures: How to Master Data Skills Through Hands-On Learning

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Ever read something and forgotten it almost immediately? You’re not alone. Many studies suggest we only remember a small fraction of what we read—about 10%. But when we teach others or actively practice a skill, we retain much more—up to 90%. This idea comes from the Learning Pyramid.

The Learning Pyramid (refer to diagram below) is often shown as a triangle:

• At the narrow top, there’s reading (10% retention).

• As you go down, methods like lectures (20%) and watching videos (30%) appear.

• At the wide bottom, active methods like practicing by doing (75%) and teaching others (90%) dominate.

Even if the exact percentages aren’t scientifically proven, the message is clear: active learning beats passive learning, especially for adults. So, how do we make learning stick in the workplace?

Why Passive Learning Falls Short

Imagine your manager asks you to learn Pivot Tables in Excel. You watch a 30-minute video tutorial, but when it’s time to create one yourself, you’re stuck. That’s because passive learning (like watching or reading) doesn’t build the kind of memory needed to use the skill confidently.

Active Learning: The Key to Adult Learning Success

Active learning—where you discuss, practice, or teach—makes learning stick. This aligns with how adults learn best. According to adult learning principles, we learn better when:

1. The material is practical and relevant.

   • For example, learning VLOOKUP to quickly pull customer data from spreadsheets.

2. We can connect it to our experience.

   • Like improving your monthly sales report with new Excel functions.

3. We are solving real-world problems.

   • Such as analyzing client feedback to spot trends and improve service.

Combining Methods for Better Results

The best learning experiences blend multiple methods. Here are some combinations and what you get from them:

1. Lecture + Discussion

   • Example: Your instructor explains how to use an IF/ELSE formula in Excel. Then, you discuss how you could apply it to your own data.

   • Outcome: You understand the concept and see how it fits into your work.

2. Demonstration + Hands-On Practice

   • Example: Watching a demo on creating a Pivot Table and then practicing it using your team’s sales data.

   • Outcome: You remember the steps and can apply them confidently.

3. Project Work + Teaching Others

   • Example: Building a Tableau dashboard for a work project and explaining it to a colleague.

   • Outcome: You master the tool and gain confidence in using it.

How FYT Consulting Makes Learning Stick

At FYT Consulting, we’ve designed our courses to maximize learning retention through a 70-30 approach:

• 30% Lectures with Discussions:We introduce key concepts and encourage discussions to help you relate them to your work.

• 70% Hands-On Learning and Project Work:You’ll spend most of your time:

  • Practicing with tools like Excel, Tableau, and Power BI.

  • Solving real-world tasks like creating financial reports or analyzing customer feedback.

  • Building muscle memory for skills like Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, and IF/ELSE formulas.

This way, you’re not just hearing about new skills—you’re applying them immediately.

Why This Works for Adult Learners

Our approach works because it’s designed for how adults learn best:

1. Practical Application: Learn skills that solve real problems in your work.

2. Repetition and Practice: Just like writing emails or preparing reports, practicing helps you remember the steps.

3. Collaboration: Discussing and teaching others reinforces learning and builds confidence.

Ready to Learn by Doing?

The Learning Pyramid shows us that active learning leads to better results. At FYT Consulting, we don’t just teach concepts—we give you the tools and practice to master them.

Don’t just learn—master the skills you need to excel at work. Join an FYT Consulting course today and experience learning that truly sticks!