Learning and education are two different but related terms. The human race has survived so long because they can learn from their surroundings and improvise things. So learning is a process that makes us a better version of ourselves.
A person can learn things in different ways, such as through personal experience, observation, study, or teaching. It is a continuous and intangible process that helps us acquire skills and knowledge. Learning can be understood as a process that goes on from the birth of a child throughout his whole life.
Education, on the other hand, has a narrower scope than learning. It can be implied that education comes within the preview of learning. It is a process of acquiring skills and knowledge through a systematic and formal approach.
Education includes any kind of skill training, knowledge, or any values that are being taught in a college, school, or any institution. Education is a formal process that aims to develop skills, knowledge, values, etc. in students through a formal system. Unlike learning, education isn’t a long-term process. People can get an education at any age, but education is time-bound.
Education and learning go hand in hand. Since education is aimed at developing students from a tender age to an adult. During his education, a student learns things and shapes his mind towards seeking and interpreting knowledge. In this period, he also learned how to perceive things that are beyond the curriculum. So, in a way, learning and education provide support for each other.
The developmental stages of a student’s life
A child’s development is a multidimensional process. It involves the development of character, mind, skills, and a lot of other parameters. Various stages of development occur at a particular age. To help children develop themselves and harness their true potential, they must be provided with the necessary means and guidance. Therefore, for a better understanding, the whole development stage of student life can be categorised as –
Early childhood or primary schoolers- Children at this age are up to 8 years old. This is the time period where a child learns how to read and write. At this stage, the focus is to develop the vocabulary of the child and to promote the development of motor skills.
Primary schoolers need more attention since they are at a stage where their social development is happening. Learning at this stage should be simplified and be fun; otherwise, children may lose interest.
Middle childhood or middle schoolers: In this age group, children are between 8 and 14 years old. At this stage, children learn about the basic concepts of different subjects.
Also at this stage, the development of cognitive skills, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence takes place. Academically, students learn about concepts in-depth and gain a thorough understanding of them. In middle childhood, a child requires more personal attention for academic as well as social and physical development.
Adolescence or high schoolers: Adolescence is the stage by which a child completes his or her schooling. This stage of development requires extra care from parents and teachers. At high school, the physical growth of a student gets accelerated while, at the same time, his mental development happens. Education in high school prepares a student for higher education and therefore focuses on developing an advanced understanding of subjects in students’ minds.
The Advantages of Project-Based Learning
Sitting in a classroom for five to six hours listening to lectures is not everyone’s cup of tea. Classroom lectures can be monotonous at times, and this can have a severe impact on student engagement in the process of learning. To eliminate the factor of monotony, the learning process should be fun, easy, and appealing to students.
So, to make the learning process interesting, academicians have introduced project-based learning in the curriculum of students at different levels. Project-based learning is not a modern concept, but it wasn’t much in practice until recently. For the all-round development of children, this particular method has proved to be efficient.
Project-based learning has evolved as a modern way of imparting practical skills to students. Project-based learning offers students an environment where they can use their theoretical knowledge to solve real issues. In project-based learning, students work on a project in either a group or at an individual level.
These projects involve the activities of finding the problem, deliberating on solutions, and deciding which alternative should be used to solve the problem. Therefore, this learning method involves a series of skills that students can receive. Project-based learning can be efficacious in inculcating a variety of skills which can be listed as:
- Cognitive skills
- Technical skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Mathematics ability
- Problem-solving
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Organization and integrity
The significance of online learning in the pandemic period
Learning and education are two processes that require the constant guidance of teachers and parents. During pandemics, learning methods have evolved, and this process has shifted to digital platforms. Nowadays, students are learning and getting an education through online platforms. It is evident that during the pandemic, the connection between teacher and student has been severed. To mend this connection, online project ideas and work can be of great help. Such projects can be recommended by teachers to students to ensure that students are still interested in learning things even when they are not in direct contact with the teacher.
Online project ideas are a way to connect to students. In a pandemic, students are seeking fun in the learning process. This fun can be achieved by looking at the screen for hours only.
It is time that students do something by taking online lectures. Students can try this project at their homes to experiment with things and learn about things in a better way. Such online project work is built with educational tools and a user manual that help students understand how to use projects.
Parents and teachers can obtain these projects for children in order to boost their children’s creativity even during pandemics. Online project work gives students hands-on experience of various things and updates them according to industry standards.
With the help of online project ideas, students can get a firm and comprehensive understanding of their curriculum and important concepts. When children work on these projects, they learn how to use their theoretical knowledge in real life. This, in turn, boosts their confidence and makes them eager to learn more.
