All learning styles aren’t necessarily created equal. Visual learning involves reading information in order to understand it, while auditory learning requires listening to information to remember it. While these types of learning may prevail in certain contexts, a third type of learning has been shown to be more effective in terms of equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of the material and preparing them for their careers.
Hands-on learning, also called kinesthetic learning, is a form of learning that involves combining elements of visual and auditory learning with practical participation from a student in the form of movement. Through hands-on learning, students become more familiar with the processes and skills they’ll use in the future.
At Oxford College, students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning in order to obtain the skills necessary to succeed in their future line of work. Read on to discover why hands-on learning is so important when training for a career.
Hands-On Learning Improves the Ability to Retain Information
When students have access to hands-on training, they have an opportunity to interact with, discuss, and engage with the material they’re learning. Instead of absorbing information solely by reading or listening, students are practicing the techniques, processes, and skills that they’re learning about with their own two hands. This type of physically engaged learning requires participation from both sides of the brain. The left side of the brain takes care of analyzing and listening, while the right side processes visual and spatial information. When these different learning styles are combined, the brain is able to form stronger connections with the material, retaining more information.
The benefits that hands-on learning has for a student’s ability to retain information are extremely valuable, especially when it comes time for students to apply what they’ve learned in a workplace setting. After completing a hands-on career college program, students will be able to begin working with confidence, equipped with extensive knowledge as a result of their training.
With Hands-On Learning, Students in Career College Have an Opportunity to Practice
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Hands-on learning means that students have an opportunity to gain familiarity with the material under the guidance of an industry professional. When learning in this environment, students are able to make mistakes, ask questions, and correct their work without worrying about the consequences that their errors might have in the real world. Hands-on training provides students with a controlled and safe environment in which they can master the skills and processes they’ll use in their future career. Not only does this prevent students from making the same mistakes in the workplace, but it helps them to learn organically through the process of trial and error as they train for a career.
Hands-On Learning Ensures a Better Transition to Workplace Environments
Workplace transitions can be difficult when a student has only gained experience within a traditional classroom setting. Hands-on learning reduces the disparity between the work that a student does in the classroom and the work they’ll do in their future career. By gaining real-world practice, students can integrate what they’ve learned into their responsibilities in the workplace, easing the career transition. Additionally, employers recognize the value of hands-on learning—often preferring candidates who have tangible experience with the processes and skills they’ll be expected to perform at work as this can reduce on-the-job training needs.
Given the many benefits of an experiential, practical learning approach, it’s important to choose a career college program that offers students this type of opportunity. Oxford College’s programs prepare students for a successful career with hands-on training, equipping them with the practical skills they’ll use in the real professional world.
Looking for career training in Ontario?
Oxford College’s hands-on programs equip you with the preparation you need. Get started today!