Not every thing that a person learns is contained in books
Not every thing that a person learns is contained in books
Compare the practical knowledge with the knowledge gained from books. Which one do you think is more important? Why?
The statement “Not every thing that a person learns is contained in books” is very true since an individual learns from other sources too like practical experience, internet, social discussion forums, media and so on. However the practical knowledge gained by a person at work & in social life is worth its weight in gold and equally precious as the theoretical learning gained from books. Let’s do a comparison and analyse.
Books provide a wealth of knowledge and constitute the theoretical learning’s of a person which are imparted at schools and colleges. Books form the base of the lessons learnt right from nursery class i.e. alphabets, numbers, colours, poems till the specialised lessons learnt in fields like accountancy, economics, science, arts, engineering and so on.
A great deal of study and research material by various writers, authors is available in books which can be accessed through book shops or libraries. Books enlighten the person on a specific subject through words, figures, diagrams, pictures; data tables etc and enable him to understand the same.
The theory and practical learning’s should be used by a person to achieve career goals and be successful in life. In today’s modern competitive world a person gets to demonstrate his knowledge at his workplace only after he has passed theory exams and been certified by recognised educational institutions. For instance only a person clearing his legal exams and graduating with a LLB degree is given the licence to practice law and fight cases in the Court of law. Similarly in the fields of accountancy, medicine, engineering, architecture, education etc., persons who are suitably qualified are allowed to practice or gain employment in the industry.
The experience on the job received by a doctor, engineer, architect, accountant, journalist or a fashion designer is a unique learning and enables the person to be a better & successful professional as times passes by.
However there are exceptions to the rule. A lot of famous people around the globe in diverse fields like sports, music, business etc. were successful mainly because of their gifted skills and practical exposure. Sachin Tendulkar, A.R.Rehman ,Bill Gates, Lata Mangeshkar, Dhirubhai Ambani and many others may not have been highly qualified in theory exams but became legends in their respective fields due to their sheer mastery and passion in their chosen fields. Hence a balanced mix of theory and practical learning’s are very important to make a person knowledgeable and successful in life.
Discussion
- RE: Not every thing that a person learns is contained in books -Deepa Kaushik (04/17/14)
- It is very true that a person doesn’t learn everything from the books. The “School of Hard Rocks” teaches a lot more than the experiences of others. Books teach us the basics, and introduces us with the experiences of other people, both famous and unpopular. Every person who learns from books, have the knowledge to solve a problem and come out of that situation, but it takes him time for his memory to think and process the same.
On the other hand, the person who learns from the self-experience, who comes up with the solution in his own way, have comparatively sharp reflex to react to any situation. His presence of mind comes to his rescue at each and every point of life.
Also, the person who comes up with his ideas, innovations and hardships, succeeds in life; which is noticed more common than those with the bookish knowledge. An intelligent person is the one who knows how, where and when to implement his bookish knowledge; and this task of implementation cannot be learnt from any book. So, it’s good to learn from others experience, but implement your own ideas.
- Not every thing that a person learns is contained in books -Janhvi Johorey (04/04/14)
“Not everything that a person learns is contained in books.”Compare the practical knowledge with the knowledge gained from books. Which one do you think is more important? Why?
Introduction
Knowledge gained from books or theoretical know-how has little relevance in the modern day world. Practical knowledge has far greater value than the understanding gained from books. It is true that not everything a person learns is contained in books. While books are important repositories of information, practical knowledge is far more important in today’s world. Leading entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates have placed little value on theoretical knowledge. Instead, they look for qualities such as quick thinking and the ability to apply knowledge in all their employees. Practical education has far greater value because books contain limited information. The ability to apply knowledge and use it for the benefit of mankind is what gives education its intrinsic value.
Viewpoint
Practical knowledge is far more useful in everyday life. Bookish knowledge has no value when it comes to new innovations and technologies. Practical education encourages people to think outside the box. Different people have different types of learning styles. But practical knowledge empowers people to be able to apply what they know in a meaningful manner.
Theoretical knowledge just involves mugging up or retaining information acquired from other sources. It does not require any talent or skill. Moreover, theoretical knowledge does not give you any understanding of the deeper issues and topics. You can spend a lifetime acquiring about the topography of Greece, but an actual visit to this nation will give you more comprehensive information about it. Similarly, you can acquire one business management degree after another and yet lack the acumen to handle the demands of running a company. Unless you put yourself in the field, you will not understand the practical challenges and actual realities of any sphere of learning.
Theoretical knowledge does not involve longer retention of information. Students spend a few hours before the exam cramming for it and then go ahead and appear for the examination. They do not bother to apply the information in a deeper way or retain it for later life. Practical knowledge is more conducive to retention and effective application at later points in a person’s career. Learning a theory by heart does not have the same value as applying your critical thinking skills and come up with practical inputs. Real life projects or internships can have a far greater value for those who want to gain meaningful information that will equip and empower them for life. Professionals only become capable if they acquire practical knowledge. Theoretical knowledge has no real meaning in the outside world where quick thinking and problem solving skills are acquired on a daily basis. Being resourceful and experienced is way more important than gaining academic knowledge which will not translate into a rich educational experience.
Practical knowledge also involves deeper understanding of topics. Reading about phenomenon such as the solar system will not help students to grasp fundamental concepts. A visit to the planetarium is equally important. Students need to see things in operation to understand them. If business skills could be acquired by merely reading books, why is it that many successful businessmen and entrepreneurs have not completed their higher education? Performing experiments and acquiring practical understanding has far greater value for those who want to learn new things easily. Practical demonstrations can help students to observe the intricacies of a phenomenon or learn new techniques. Even adults at later stages of life benefit from practical learning experiences rather than theoretical courses. Moreover, the beauty of practical knowledge is that exposure to training and real life experienced will help students to improve their skills and acquire greater expertise and proficiency in their field.
Acquiring knowledge of theories is of no value unless you can actually apply them to real life settings. Practical knowledge is imperative for making the world a better place. All types of innovations and inventions were the creation of bright minds which challenged prevailing theories. Apart from deeper learning, practical knowledge acquired from field trips and projects also generates greater interest in the students. This also makes it easy for students to understand complicated concepts. The more interest you have for a subject, the easier it is to acquire and retain as well as apply the information in a way that has deep value. Team projects also motivate students and enable them to interact with one another. Theoretical knowledge is one-sided and it does not involve any interaction. Books are dull compared to practical learning experiences. No matter how up to date a book is, it can never become relevant beyond a certain point in time. New information and research is always forthcoming. Practical knowledge is more updated and comprehensive. It keeps persons in touch with the latest trends.
Conclusion
Learning is the fundamental aim of acquiring knowledge. Theoretical knowledge has no importance or relevance for those who want to excel in the world. Practical knowledge equips learners to know more, remember critical data more easily and use it in a way that brings about positive change. Anyone can read a book. Acquiring practical knowledge is a far more interesting process as it leads to the acquisition of critical thinking skills. Leading educationists across the world recommend practical education as a more effective means of inculcating effective problem solving and cognitive skills in students of all ages.
