LEARNING BY DOING

LEARNING BY DOING

            There are various ways of acquiring knowledge and skills. These are reading, writing, listening and doing. The latest of this list is a robust, vibrant, and holistic one which engenders excellence in every sphere of human life. One of the greatest poets, William Wordsworth shows its importance in the following lines :

                                                “One impulse from vernal wood,

                                                May teach you more of a man,

                                                Moral, evil and of good,

                                                Than all the sages can.”

            Actually learning by doing involves active participation of learners in various activities which broaden their thinking horizon. It changes the status of a participant from passive observer to active participant. This is the only route of learning where intermingling of theory and practice is possible. Being a science stream student, I know that one complete period of 40 minutes on electric circuit does not make any sense to majority of class. However, just one attempt at creating it by myself gives a lifelong experience.

            There is no denying the fact that there are innumerable benefits of this method of learning. When we acquire knowledge out of this mode, our brain ensures effective locomotion of our motor neurons. Thus, it enhances the thinking pattern and visualization ability of a learner. The components of this tool of learning groom the personality of the doer. We are no more afraid of failure, as we know that it has also got something to teach. More importantly, learning comes as a joyful journey to us.

            It may appear that this concept has come into existence in this age itself. But it is not true. In fact, renowned thinkers like Rousseau and Rabindranath Tagore were strong supporters of this. Shanti Niketan, which has got a reputation of its own, was envisioned and founded by Tagore. Eklavya did not get any formal education in archery. The epic Mahabarata shows that he was so great that he could even outshine Arjuna. Today, we see that Mr. Sachin Tendulkar and Mr. Binny Bansal did not confine themselves to four walls of their classroom. They dared to do something on their own. The result is before the entire world. While they are proud owners of worldwide reputation, their batchmates who confined themselves to orthodox pattern of learning, are placed in less charming domains. It is the virtue of this school of learning that Mr. Bill Gates was not the topper, but most of the toppers work for him.

            No doubt this system of learning is unparalleled and indomitable. But to transform this vision into reality. It would take a lot of dedication and meticulous planning as there are so many challenges dotting the way. First and foremost, it is to be ensured that all the concerned institutions do have necessary state-of-the-art infrastructure. They must have information satellites, smart classes, well equipped laboratories and other instruments needed for the purpose. Students can be given the courage to be innovative and inquisitive. Our academic institutions do not have required number of trained human resources. For this, we are supposed to ensure that the numeric value of such trained personnel is increased up to the desired level. Besides this, there is a pool of traditional thinkers who give lukewarm response to this mode of learning. They still have ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ mentality. Their worries are vague. They should be convinced that information is not the knowledge. When it is combined with experience, it is translated into wisdom and intellect which is the need of the hour.

            In  nutshell, we can say that this system is powerful enough to reshape and reorient the present and the future of our nation. It does so by changing the modus operandi of our learning system. If implemented in true sense, it can play a significant role to inculcate desired values and ethics in all the children. This is because

                                                “Learning by doing,

                                                Spares our touch.

                                                When we depart,

                                                Permanent prints

                                                Are left behind,

                                                On the sands of time.”