Intricate Applied Learning can impart employable skills in students, writes S Srinivas
The History channel was telecasting a program called 'Sliced' wherein the anchor of the show used to open/tear apart various gadgets with a view to figure out what constituted its parts and understand its working. It is through this process the mechanical and electronic aspects of the working of various appliances can be understood. The present Indian system of education has less emphasis on hands-on learning and more on memorization of facts and concepts. Hence gaining practical knowledge through dismantling is a good way to teach our students the functioning of various day-to-day utilities of use. A few periods allotted for science teaching could be utilized for applied learning and resources for it could be purchased cheaply from shops selling second-hand wares.
The Process
In applied learning classes, a technician, under the guidance of the science teacher, will dismantle mechanical and electronic appliances and explain it's working to students. For instance, by dismantling a two-wheeler, students are shown what a motor looks like, how the piston moves, what is combustion, and such sort of things. Similarly by opening a CPU case, students are shown and explained different parts like the mother board, the microprocessor, and memory chips. Likewise, old mixer, fan, water pump, television set, vacuum cleaner, watch, voltage stabilizer and other similar items are dismantled and its working explained. Once explained, the students should be allowed to handle tools to dismantle and later reassemble the various gadgets. This type of teaching also helps the students become aware of various types of tools and their usefulness in fixing damaged items.
Other Skills
In applied learning classes, apart from assembling skills, other type of skills should be taught. The students must be geared-up for a professional life by teaching them communicative skills, management skills, and other necessary computer skills. Resume writing, facing mock interviews, public speaking, and presentation through power-point are some of the many aspects that an applied learning class should include in its framework. One other skill that must be made compulsory for all students is disaster management skill. In this, the students are trained in self-defense, swimming, riding two-wheeler, four-wheeler, first-aid, how to cope up during emergencies like snake/scorpion bites, and skin burns. They are also shown how to check sugar level, blood pressure and injecting insulin shots. They are even acquainted with home-made/natural remedies (with turmeric, ginger, garlic, pepper, tulasi, and neem) for treatment of simple cough, cold, and stomach ache.
Benefits of Applied Learning
This type of learning will help students to grasp the fundamentals of science and technology. They will understand their theory lessons better, and learning science will be a fun experience for them. These classes stimulate the latent talent and aptitude which students possess, and help them decide which course to opt for after matriculation. For students who are unable to pursue their studies due to economic or other reasons, the knowledge which they have learnt in applied learning classes could be further honed by working as an apprentice, later leading to a gainful employment. This would also save many of the students from pursuing the traditional degree courses without gaining any employable skills. By introducing applied learning classes, we can enhance the employable status of our matriculates and equip them with certain essential skills to face the highly competitive world.
The History channel was telecasting a program called 'Sliced' wherein the anchor of the show used to open/tear apart various gadgets with a view to figure out what constituted its parts and understand its working. It is through this process the mechanical and electronic aspects of the working of various appliances can be understood. The present Indian system of education has less emphasis on hands-on learning and more on memorization of facts and concepts. Hence gaining practical knowledge through dismantling is a good way to teach our students the functioning of various day-to-day utilities of use. A few periods allotted for science teaching could be utilized for applied learning and resources for it could be purchased cheaply from shops selling second-hand wares.
The Process
In applied learning classes, a technician, under the guidance of the science teacher, will dismantle mechanical and electronic appliances and explain it's working to students. For instance, by dismantling a two-wheeler, students are shown what a motor looks like, how the piston moves, what is combustion, and such sort of things. Similarly by opening a CPU case, students are shown and explained different parts like the mother board, the microprocessor, and memory chips. Likewise, old mixer, fan, water pump, television set, vacuum cleaner, watch, voltage stabilizer and other similar items are dismantled and its working explained. Once explained, the students should be allowed to handle tools to dismantle and later reassemble the various gadgets. This type of teaching also helps the students become aware of various types of tools and their usefulness in fixing damaged items.
Other Skills
In applied learning classes, apart from assembling skills, other type of skills should be taught. The students must be geared-up for a professional life by teaching them communicative skills, management skills, and other necessary computer skills. Resume writing, facing mock interviews, public speaking, and presentation through power-point are some of the many aspects that an applied learning class should include in its framework. One other skill that must be made compulsory for all students is disaster management skill. In this, the students are trained in self-defense, swimming, riding two-wheeler, four-wheeler, first-aid, how to cope up during emergencies like snake/scorpion bites, and skin burns. They are also shown how to check sugar level, blood pressure and injecting insulin shots. They are even acquainted with home-made/natural remedies (with turmeric, ginger, garlic, pepper, tulasi, and neem) for treatment of simple cough, cold, and stomach ache.
Benefits of Applied Learning
This type of learning will help students to grasp the fundamentals of science and technology. They will understand their theory lessons better, and learning science will be a fun experience for them. These classes stimulate the latent talent and aptitude which students possess, and help them decide which course to opt for after matriculation. For students who are unable to pursue their studies due to economic or other reasons, the knowledge which they have learnt in applied learning classes could be further honed by working as an apprentice, later leading to a gainful employment. This would also save many of the students from pursuing the traditional degree courses without gaining any employable skills. By introducing applied learning classes, we can enhance the employable status of our matriculates and equip them with certain essential skills to face the highly competitive world.