For too long, skill-based education and teaching has been a part of the informal education sector. Termed as vocational, there is no control and checks on this type of education as there are only a handful of recognised institutes that teach skill-based learning. When in reality, skills-based professionals are high in demand. India has predominantly been a knowledge-based education system but this is changing as there are many benefits to skill-based learning.

What is Skill-based Learning?

Students are taught skills using practical demonstrations rather than just giving them instructions to read. The teachers will teach the best way to put a skill to use and students will try their best to replicate the demonstration. This way, they end up learning the skill by demonstrating it. This is a very practical way of learning and has been proven to work better. For example, which student would be better at assembling a machine? The student who has memorised all the instructions or the student who has previous experience assembling a machine? Of course, it is the second student.

Benefits for Students in Skill-based Learning & Teaching

Faster Learning, Better Understanding – In India, the knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities are quite poor. Millions of students suffer simply because their learning abilities function in a different way. However, in skill-based learning and teaching, students learn faster and understand better because the students are encouraged to acquire the skill by doing not just reading. A student may read about doing something a hundred times and still won’t know what to do, but if that same student is made to do that action, they will get it in a few attempts and most likely will also learn a few more things that were not taught.

Real-world Practical Education – The biggest benefit of skill-based learning and teaching is that students get real-world practical education. Students are exposed to the inner workings of the industry and get to deal with actual problems. The best part is that they are dealing with this education in a controlled environment, so that negates any risks. But when they face such situations in the professional world, they’ll be ready with a combination of knowledge and experience. Yes, theoretical education is important, but it can take you only so far. Practical education is what really takes your head and gives you the required confidence.

Empowers Students to Learn – In skill-based learning and teaching, the onus is on the students to learn at their own pace. It’s all too well-known that theoretical education moves on with the curriculum, leaving behind many students creating a huge gap in understanding. But in skill-based learning and teaching, the students can set their own pace because not every student is the same. Each can proceed according to their understanding and skill development, taking control of their own education. Picture this all-too-familiar scenario. A teacher is teaching in the classroom, and only a few students understand. The teacher moves on to the next lesson and many students have barely understood anything. Plus, the teacher cannot wait for every student to catch up. This does not happen in skill-based learning and teaching.

Promotes Purpose-driven Education – By now, many students must have realised that they have wasted hours of their time and brainpower in learning things that are of no use. In skill-based learning and teaching, students are given a purpose-driven education. They have a clear objective in what they learn through the right mix of theory and practical demonstration. Therefore, along the way to the objective, students indulge in research, critical thinking, teamwork, and other important skills that become a strong foundation for their remaining education. Purpose-driven education gives students a strong and clear direction and yet, gives them the freedom to design their approach.

Unlocks Students’ Creativity – Students are taught the best, most efficient way to solve a problem and learn these methods through demonstration. However, there is also the freedom to challenge the supposed “best, most efficient way to solve a problem”. Once students know how to do it, they can start taking risks and start looking into how else they can do it. Students can start accessing their creative side as they have already achieved the learning and demonstrating bit. They then switch from learning mode to analytical and problem-solving mode and start to think for themselves. And this is what education should ideally do – teach students to be creative and think for themselves.

Develops Interpersonal Skills – Currently, in the professional world, interpersonal skills are high in demand and these are exactly what skill-based learning and teaching help students develop. Interpersonal skills are skills that help you connect and interact with others. There are many skills like empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, oratory skills, etc. that make up interpersonal skills. And together, with the technical skills they will learn in their skill-based education, they will help students become well-rounded people and professionals who are equipped to tap into their full potential.

Skill-based learning and teaching are the need of the hour. Even the government has taken positive steps in the recognition and standardisation of skill-based education through the PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna) scheme. Hopefully, more colleges and universities, especially private universities, move towards this for the benefit of their students. MIT ADT University, based in Pune, is one of the pioneering universities in the country that introduced skill-based learning and teaching for the benefit of their students. Here, students receive the right mix of skill-based and knowledge-based education for all-around development to become strong professionals. Enquire today for the best skill-based courses!