The Importance of Practical Education
In India, education is highly valued, and students are often encouraged to pursue academic excellence. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of practical learning in addition to theoretical education. Practical learning involves hands-on experience and is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of their subjects. In this essay, we will explore the seven reasons why practical learning is important to students and how it can help students to develop critical thinking, enhance their creativity, and prepare them for success in their future careers. By integrating practical learning into the curriculum, educators can help students become more engaged and motivated learners better equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
When studying, it’s important to get a hands-on understanding of your subject and how the theory you learn applies to real-life situations. Practical learning allows you to learn quick adaptations needed for daily challenges and scenarios and allows you to get a better understanding of your course topic.
Practical learning, as mentioned above, has the unique ability to help students apply their skills in a non-classroom environment. While it’s important to learn the theory of a topic or subject, getting out and applying the theory to a practical situation enables you to build upon existing skills such as problem-solving.
It also allows you to apply your technical knowledge in the field, which is incredibly beneficial in all subjects but particularly in subjects such as horticulture, aged care and disability care.
Practical learning provides students with real-world skills that employers highly value. It helps them develop competencies and knowledge directly applicable to their chosen careers, making them more attractive candidates in the job market.
There are some things that need to be experienced to be understood, and this is true for most subjects. For example, a certificate in aged care may prepare you theoretically, but working one-on-one with a senior citizen in need of your help will give you a better understanding of how to care for something, and the best way to do certain tasks.
Interactive education in the form of practical learning can strengthen your understanding and comprehension on a subject. While theoretical education utilised textbooks and research papers, practical learning allows you to learn things first hand. This learning is a fundamental part of education and works incredibly well to improve a student’s learning level and understanding.
Taking a hands-on approach to learning often results in more ingrained knowledge, with the ability to retain information quickly and for longer periods of time. The reason being that when learning in a theoretical, text-based style, our brains attempt to remember words. However, when learning in a practical environment, we’re remembering actions and scenarios which our brains find easier to retain.
Practical learning gives students the opportunity to take on challenges and succeed, which helps build their confidence and self-esteem. It provides a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities, which can be motivating and inspiring.
Practical learning helps prepare students for real-world challenges and situations they will encounter in their future careers. It provides a safe and controlled environment for students to develop their skills and build their confidence, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead.
Academics in India often generate stress and pressure for students. To counteract this, there is a need for a more interactive, fun, and wholesome approach to learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) program is becoming increasingly popular as an approach that provides a comprehensive learning experience in the country.
Students remember information better when more than one sense is engaged during learning. Seeing, touching, and performing tasks create a practical exam experience that enhances knowledge retention. With such information, students are likely to remember ideas over a long period. For instance, in geography, students are better able to grasp the basics and even pass tests on topography and soil composition principles by drawing topographic maps or performing soil analysis instead of simply reading about those topics. This approach provides the most effective type of learning and ensures that, no matter the situation, learners will remember and be able to use the information when necessary.
Practical examinations test students’ problem-solving approaches, often requiring them to take a more analytical and independent stance. While taking these exams, students are often presented with challenges, including a scientific experiment that does not produce the intended results, as well as equipment that does not work properly. These situations call for quick and adaptive thinking, which is crucial both in academics and the job market. For example, In a physics practical, if an experiment does not work out as planned, students are required to identify the mistake, change their strategy, and make another attempt. Over time, this strategy helps build resilience alongside creativity, both of which are necessary for success, no matter the profession. Such practical exams help students develop long-term innovation within their mindset, which is why these tests are valuable in education and the further development of society.
This allows students to gain some work experience while still at school. Also, practical examinations often come with strict time limits, and students are required to complete tasks within a set time. Therefore, students must learn and utilize their time management skills. For instance, students attending a biology practical may have to examine microscopic slides, take notes on what they observe, and answer time-sensitive questions. In this manner, students learn to prioritize and manage their time, which will benefit them later in life in their professional endeavors. Knowing how to manage time effectively during practical examinations greatly helps students deal with stress. Completing multiple tasks within a specific time frame allows them to build confidence in their ability to meet challenges in their future academic and career aspirations.
Conclusion-
Practical education and assessment tests are not only a means of evaluation; they are a key aspect of learning. Emphasizing critical thinking, skill enhancement, and real-world problem-solving fosters a well-rounded education that extends beyond textbooks.
