Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience. Hands-on learning is a form of experiential learning. The main aim is to embrace progressive methodologies in education which will offer students a first of its kind experiential education model of pedagogy for engineering courses. It can be achieved through the following:
1. Setting up of incubation centres
Having companies inside a college campus forays the students to involve in gaining practical hands-on experience on latest technologies. This will channelize what students study theoretically and give them a practical working environment.
2. Industry Institute Partnership Cell (IIPC)
IIPC cell forms another important aspect in involving students together to form active participation with academia. Industry exposure is gained by means of field visits, industrial visits, internships and so on. This gives the students an insight into the functioning of an industry.Students learn the latest technologies and get to see how the industry works.
3. Training & Placement Cell
Training & Placement cell also plays an active role not only in campus placements but can also be utilised to give students a brief exposure into industry work practices. It can leverage on how industry functions and resource persons can be called to speak to lower semester students and make them industry ready.
4. Alumni Network
A strong alumni network always pays the way for the highest and successful connections of the college students with industries. The alumni can give the current students their overviews on how an industry works by giving their own life examples.
Experiential education benefits include these:
- Foster hands-on experience and application of theoretical concepts for better understanding.
- Helps develop critical problem solving and relationship building skills.
- Students learn to meet new challenges and “think on their feet” while navigating through unfamiliar and unexpected situations.
Imparting more of practical based learning than theoretical learning will reform from degradation of quality education in engineering which is leading to high rates of unemployment. Universities should impart experiential-based education which will make students industry ready and channelize the industry expectations.
(The author is CEO & Founder, TRAINIDENT and an Asst. Prof in E&C Dept , YIT Moodbidri.)
