Messy Learning Environments: Busy Hands and Less Engaged Minds

In an environment where learners are engrossed in highly interactive and fun hands-on activities, how do we get their minds as engaged as their hands? We have found that busy hands help sustain learners' motivation and interest but can distract their minds from doing the necessary reflection on their actions. This paper and the accompanying poster describe conditions and affordances of media and prompts that focus and encourage distracted learners reflection.