One of the most controversial topics in modern education system is whether the way that teachers should focus on delivering theoretical knowledge or practical skills. In today’s world, teaching methods have a crucial role in shaping the future, which makes this dilemma more important than ever.
Teaching through theoretical knowledge may seem challenging to some educators, yet the precise information provided can actually make learning easier for students. According to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report, analytical thinking skills of students who learned through theory-
based lessons were 28% higher than those who learned through practice-based learning. A further example is that the students who learned through theory-based instruction were 40% more capable of retaining the information they had learned, according to Harvard University.
On the other hand, focusing on practical skills may help students learn more easily, as the attention span of teenagers has been decreasing due to prolonged consumption of social media content, which affects those who spend excessive amounts of time on these platforms. Research from the National Center for Education Statistics has shown that students who engaged in hands-on learning activities were 32% more proficient in problem-solving skills. Furthermore, a report from Journal of Educational Psychology found that students involved in practical learning experiences had a 28% increase in their attention span, which demonstrates how social experiences can improve students in numerous ways.
As a student, I would prefer to learn by practical exercises which would make me more engaged, improve my problem-solving skills, and enhance my ability to retain and apply knowledge in real-world situations. However, learning through theory-based lessons can also improve my knowledge at subjects that require deeper knowledge of fundamental concepts and can help me build a strong base while helping me use them more effectively while applying.