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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
Agreed: The recommendations of learning science mostly apply to learning in the classroom and for well-structured problems. However, I think you underestimate their value for vocational training ... since most of it still happens in traditional classroom environments. 🧵
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Cedric Chin
@ejames_c
I’m seeing multiple people share this on my timeline, so I want to sound a warning: If you’re interested in learning for your career, these ideas are NOT AS USEFUL AS YOU MIGHT THINK. A thread of why and where to look instead. twitter.com/emollick/statu…
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
I work in vocational training for crafts (mechanics, electricians etc) and for most people, "learning for your career" means taking advanced classes in their field. While they are more practical than in academia, there's always "theory" to be learned, even at the highest level:
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
- Repetition of basic concepts (electrics, hydraulics, math ...) - The basic workings of advanced machinery - New technologies - As you advance, you'll learn about new fields like business administration or people management
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
All of this is done in a classroom setting. And this is where a good grasp of learning science's recommendations is sorely lacking, both on the teacher and the student side:
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
Teachers who don't know the value of repetition, testing, and letting students explain concepts. Students who complain when they have to participate actively, and who don't know how to study for their exams.
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
So, "learning to do well in exams" is useful for many people's careers. And I'm convinced a widespread knowledge of the basics and recs of learning science would have a tremendous impact on vocational training and personal development.
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Cedric Chin
@ejames_c
Replying to
@christophhuegle
Well, perhaps one takeaway from the military research is to do as they do and move more things AWAY from classroom models. But I hear your point also: sometimes you have to be pragmatic and work within the system you’ve been given.
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Christoph Hügle
@christophhuegle
Replying to
@ejames_c
Yes there's definitely a huge potential for NDM based training in voc ed. My point is both NDM and traditional learning science offer tools with unique strengths, and they complement each other.
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