The Importance of Incorporating Experiential Learning in the Curriculum

Word is rapidly changing. Digitization has modernized the entire world that it has become important for the workforce to stay updated with the latest technology and trends. Today, soft skills and empathy among employees have become a valued skill than the qualification they have. Hence, it has become imperative to incorporate innovative learning techniques in schools to prepare the kids for the future. Passive learning styles like rote and didactic learning must be eliminated to integrate dynamic learning. Experiential learning, along with innovative technology, is the need of the hour. Customized curriculums for schools must try to combine these active techniques to grow a smart generation. Nature Nurture strives to attain holistic development by incorporating experiential learning in the curriculum.

Experiential learning and its importance

Experiential learning is an excellent method of education, which provides students with first-hand experience in learning. The learning process involves acquiring knowledge through studies abroad, field trips, service-learning projects, and field researches. The method helps the students to build an understanding of the real world along with qualities like community building and engaging with subject matter experts & citizens involved in it.

Experiential learning has now become very common among schools and higher educational institutes. Though higher educations have always included experiential learning for a long time, the requirements have nowadays has made it an inevitable part of the curriculum. The following section guides you through some of the important take away of incorporating experiential learning in the curriculum

Benefits of experiential learning

Following are the benefits compiled based on the experiential learning experiences gained over the years.

1. A better understanding of concepts

There is a massive gap in understanding the idea as the students struggle to relate the textbook learning to the ‘real world’. The experiential learning allows the students to apply the knowledge in real time where they play an active role.

2. Student-centered learning

Students who are involved in experiential learning are exposed to field works to gather and test scientific data, explore sources like local museums and touring with experts and locals to critical locations. The students also get to interact with stakeholders that help them to draft research papers based on their experiences.

3. Creative learning

Including experiential learning in the customized curriculum of schools will help students to develop problem-solving skills. Exposing kids to the real world and assisting them in interacting them with ‘real people’ teaches them that there are multiple ways to solve problems.

4. Learn from mistakes

The students who experience a real-time output by implementing their unique solutions are encouraged to analyze how their actions affect the whole problem. Each student who might have devised unique solutions gets to compare theirs with the other students.

5. Building relationships with community

The experiential learning provides the students with an opportunity to engage with knowledgeable subject matters experts like scientists and environmental activists. The activity-based education helps the students to build a compassionate relationship with the community.

6. Improved attitude towards studies

Real-time learning and increased involvement in all the activities encourage students to enhance their knowledge and skills. The educators find a high engagement of students in this model of education.

The benefits mentioned above are enough to establish the importance of experiential learning. Curriculum for schools must involve more and more project-based learning solutions from Nature Nurture and other reliable smart school solutions company.

Shikha Ahuja works for one of the best education management companies and she is the head of the department for designing curriculum for middle school in Delhi.