Integrating Practical Knowledge into the Education System

Our empirical knowledge aids us in developing a mindset to act correctly when we direct our minds and take a step toward understanding the world and people around us. Theoretical knowledge provides a foundation for understanding the fundamentals, but practical knowledge teaches us how to put theory into practice in our daily lives. 

School is one of the areas where we learn the majority of things and begin to obtain information from the ground up. To gain information about any subject, theoretical knowledge is the initial step. Practical knowledge is more important than conceptual comprehension in such issues. 

Projects, tasks, and conducting experiments in research laboratories are examples of practical work. For pupils, knowing about theory is meaningless if they are unable to apply it in a practical setting.

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Definition of Integrated Learning

Making meaningful linkages between classes or abilities that are usually addressing multiple separate subject areas is the goal of an integrated curriculum. Integrating the curriculum can also help students learn more effectively. The goal of an integrated learning strategy is to concentrate on learning within the curriculum. 

It emphasizes building connections between concepts and experiences so that knowledge and abilities may be applied to new and difficult problems. The development of a student’s intellectual and practical skills is essential. Integrated learning is a current method that can be used. Integrated learning combines what students learn in the classroom with problem-solving in the real world

Knowledge is described as familiarity with something, which can include facts, information about a certain topic or subject, descriptions of experiments or studies, or abilities learned by experience or education. There are two sorts of knowledge:

1. Theoretical understanding
2. Practical experience

Theoretical knowledge refers to a person’s theoretical clarity of a particular issue or subject, in which he or she has a good comprehension of what is going on and how things function but is unable to manage it. For example, if a person studies an automobile and its engine parts in a classroom using books and presentation slides, he will know what the pieces of the car are and how they work, but he will not know how they work.

What’s the difference between theoretical and practical knowledge?

The experience gained from day-to-day work is referred to as hands-on knowledge. It can be obtained by doing things on a regular basis, in other words; it is primarily dependent on real-life endeavours and duties. It aids in the development of specific techniques that serve as weapons in the pursuit of your objectives. 

Certain activities can only be recognized after they have been carried out and gained experience. Theoretical knowledge, on the other hand, is obtained by reasoning and the application of methodologies. It enlightens us on the why factor. It is based on diverse people’s experiences and educates them via them. 

It leads to a greater grasp of a method, as well as an understanding of the context and conceptualization of the why behind it. It is critical to frame tactics in order to achieve the goals.

Importance of practical knowledge in schools

Let’s have a look at some of the reasons why practical knowledge is crucial in schools.

1. Any work completed by pupils assists them in better understanding and remembering the material. Any student’s work aids them in gaining clarity on a subject or issue, and it stays with them for a longer period of time.
2. Experiential learning is aided by practical practice. Every educational theory should be supported by examples of how it may be applied in laboratories or in real life since it helps us comprehend how things are relevant when we utilize them.
3. Getting your hands dirty encourages self-learning. Knowing all of the concepts and theories and putting them into practice and seeing the results allows you to experiment and discover new things on your own.
4. Practicality leads to becoming an expert in the topic because more practice leads to expertise. When students repeat the same exercise, they learn how to apply concepts in applied knowledge, which reflects if they made any mistakes. Correcting their errors improves their abilities and qualifies them as experts.
5. After a given amount of time, the lecture technique becomes tedious, therefore hands-on work is a beneficial change. Sitting in a classroom for long periods of time each day gets tedious, and kids lose interest in learning and concentrating. Students’ interest is maintained and a good attitude toward classroom instruction is elicited by implying conceptual ideas practically.
6. Practical work is usually completed in groups for assignments that need it. Working in groups helps to instill social characteristics and values like sharing, teamwork, generosity, and cooperation.
7. Practical experience adds to intellectual understanding. Practical and theoretical knowledge complement one another; neither can help you attain your goal without the other.
8. It promotes independence and self-confidence. It promotes independence and boosts self-confidence. Theory combined with practicals prepares students for the career ahead and trains them to be the best at what they do. Because things don’t come out to be brand new, kids’ confidence grows.

Integrated Learning Characteristics

• It focuses heavily on problem-solving.
• Assessment, curriculum development, and faculty development are all part of it.
• Integrated learning successfully examines and utilizes information.
• It allows students to combine their knowledge and experiences in order to create new learning settings.
• The main characteristics of integrated learning are creativity, adaptability, critical reasoning, and teamwork.
• The learning technique takes into account a wide range of learning styles, theories, and different intelligence.

Integrated Learning’s Advantages

• The goal of integrated learning is to improve knowledge, retention, and application of general concepts.
• It aids in the comprehension of the material.
• Integrated learning emphasizes active participation in real-world situations.
• It acts as a connecting link between different academic areas.
• It improves higher-order thinking abilities.
• It assures active participation of students.