“A remarkable explanation, without a demonstration is like inciting a thirst for knowledge and extinguishing it with the same ardour.”
But, India wants to know, where does this thirst get incited from? Well, it could be from anywhere. But, in the most rudimentary way and for the ease of discussion, let’s talk about schools. If we now ask ourselves this question, the inevitable answer in most cases shall be teachers. But then, what is the need of a workshop? Well, teachers incite this thirst for knowledge, but a workshop, in the most idiosyncratic of ways, broadens the scope for imagination and thus practicality! But, what is a workshop? In as much of an abstract form as possible, a workshop is a forum where discussions focussing on techniques, skills and ideas intrinsic to a particular field take place. This means that during a workshop, people brainstorm together and delve into the intricacies of their subject, while at the same time, leaving room for the three ‘I’s:
-Imagination, Interaction and Innovation!
Now, let’s get back to our principle question. ‘Why should schools hold regular workshops for their students’ betterment?’
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
-Benjamin franklin
Here are five reasons why schools and educational institutions should hold interactive workshops regularly:
#1. Seminars and workshops offer students an opportunity to interact with like-minded people. One can also end up learning with those who attend these workshops and collaborating with them. Through workshops, students can often benefit from sharing ideas and knowledge with the other participants or hosts, apart from hearing the insights of speakers, statistics, case studies and useful information.
#2. Workshops promote conceptual learning over rote learning by giving students a hands-on experience. It is a well-known fact that applying the lessons learnt in everyday life is what makes education complete. Rote learning may help to remember and analyze concepts. However, it is conceptual learning that makes education useful. Workshops often include practical tips which help students in learning more efficiently.
#3. Workshops are a great source of motivation and inspire students to work harder and direct their hopes and ambitions towards achieving their goals.
#4. Further, workshops are a great source of knowledge for students. Students attending such workshops can show their skills and, across such forums, can further update their knowledge. These workshops also develop the studying, speaking, listening, and learning skills of students. Inviting distinguished individuals to host workshops engages students with recent and continuing developments in various fields. Hence, they should be of concern to educational institutions.
#5. Workshops have the power to put people of the same age-group, views and experiences into a common forum. These frameworks open the way for the practice of minds with the same ideas and behaviours. Through the maximum use of resources, learning groups with a shared enthusiasm for the topic will create a community of their own, thereby having a symbiotic relationship. Workshops aim to discuss challenges encountered by another organization or a person that could overcome the difficulties of another.
In a nutshell, workshops play a vital role in one’s growth and learning process. Even though the sun’s light isn’t enough to nurture a flower, at the end of the day, the water comes in and compensates for the light (referring to online education and workshops respectively). To conclude, I’d like to say that using technology alongside our old school methods of learning will always give a gratifying result!
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