The Cone of Learning illustrates that people learn more when they:

The Cone of Learning, developed by educator Edgar Dale, demonstrates that individuals retain information more effectively when they engage in active participation. This concept emphasizes that learning is not just a passive intake of information but rather a process that involves doing. When people actively participate—such as through hands-on experiences, discussions, or applying concepts—they create stronger connections with the material, which enhances retention and understanding.

Active participation often involves interaction with the content in a meaningful way, allowing learners to practice, experiment, and even teach others. This experiential learning facilitates deeper comprehension and long-term memory retention.

In contrast, simply reading materials, watching videos, or attending lectures tends to result in lower retention rates because these methods require less engagement from the learner. While they can still be valuable for introductory understanding or reinforcement, they do not foster the same level of connection with the material as actively participating does. Therefore, the emphasis on participation aligns with the idea that learning is most effective when individuals are fully engaged in the learning process.