Experiential training or experiential learning is the modern approach to learning things. This method of learning is relatively new. It encourages students to be in the present and understand what they’re studying. This blog will deal with details about experiential learning and its advantages.

What is experiential training?

As the name implies, it means learning by experience. For example, if you want to learn to cook, the best way is to let you cook. You may not make the perfect dish but you will learn a great deal because you did it yourself. In school and colleges, we often encourage students to perform practical and labs. This helps them perform better. Learning about titration in chemistry and seeing the color change awakes interest in students. This is the magic of experiential training.

Experiential training in the workplace

Internships are the best example of experiential training in the workplace. Students on internships seize the opportunity to see and learn many things. They encounter workplace events and they learn many things just by observation. Experiential training is a great strategy to improve learning retention at work. These students are more likely to do better in their academics and even in their work lives.

Types of experiential training

There are many experiential training opportunities in each field. People are aware of its importance and they have allotted a specific time for practical learning. 

Clinical Rotations

Health care students have to spend some time in the hospital for their clinical rotations. In this way, they get patient exposure and deal with different cases every day. Nursing students practice their field of work and medical students sit in the OPDs and observe other doctors. These rotations are mandatory to their studies and students learn so many things.

Internships 

I also mentioned above that internships are an excellent way to get work exposure. It allows you to learn about work ethics and the work atmosphere. Companies assign a faculty member to the interns and they work under their supervision. Internships can be paid or unpaid. The experience is so fruitful that people are willing to do unpaid internships. 

Research projects

Many universities make it compulsory to perform research before you graduate. They include it in the research projects and they have marks for it. The hassle you go through will teach you more about research than any theoretical topic. 

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is experiential training in civil engineering. Students go and visit the landscapes and observe how others do work. Other professions also have fieldwork like social sciences, archeology, and architecture.

Practicals 

These involve practical learning like attending labs and performing experiments. They are part of the student’s syllabus. Subjects like physics and chemistry are difficult. Practice-based learning makes them easier to retain. 

Advantages of experiential training

Experiential training benefits are more than you can think. 

Smart work over hard work

You can try all you want to read from books but practical learning will help you retain topics. It is smart working. You can learn more and save time.

Apply knowledge immediately

Since you already have work experience, you can apply your knowledge immediately. Time is of great essence in healthcare. A person collapses in front of you and he needs immediate CPR. Your experiential training can save his life.

Adapt to new situations

Experiential training will expose you to different situations. For example, a specific problem occurred with someone and you saw him solving it, you will become familiar with it. If you come across a similar crisis, you will solve it without hesitation.

Learn from your mistakes

It is in human nature to make errors. However, you can make errors during your internship and learn from your mistakes. In this way, you will not make silly mistakes when you start working.

Guide you for future

When you work as an intern, you see a lot around you. You see the working hours and schedule. This enables you to reflect on your future. You can check your passion and develop new skills.

Surpass your colleague

Your hard work and extra efforts will pay off. You will retain better and surpass your classmates in no time.

Experiential learning is rewarding. It’s high time we leave our ancient methods and do smart work with experiential training.