Theoretical vs Practical – Learning And Developing Skills

If you’re confused and want to know what method to follow Theoretical vs Practical for learning and developing skills.

Ok, I have seen schools and training institutions widely use both teaching methods. So, to develop any skill, you will need both methods Theoretical and Practical to complete your learning.

In personal development when you are working on improving your skills you will use both methods to get better at your skills.

Why it is important to understand the difference between theoretical versus practical learning and how it can benefit you in your personal development journey.

So, be with me and we will see the difference and the importance too.

Theoretical Learning vs Practical Learning

I am sure understanding the difference will expedite your journey of developing new skills. So once you understand the difference you will be very clear in your applications of these while learning.

Theoretical Learning

To understand some subjects theories or concepts we undergo learning via reading, watching, and listening, this is done by an individual in their own capacity. Usually, when you are learning by theoretical method you are thinking and not in action.

Now, once you have learned a concept or idea then you can think and find the ways and means of implementing this knowledge into action/practical implementation.

Your knowledge in a particular subject/domain that will make you an expert in that domain, however, to develop skill you will need this knowledge and consistency applied in practice to develop your skill.

Practical Learning

On the other hand, your practical learning is by experience or doing it. It is the same as what you learn on the job by doing things rather than just reading about it.

While you are learning things by doing it practically you apply your knowledge and adjust whenever required. You and I gain our own experience and we will remember this learning for a longer period of time.

In some cases, your practical learning is a must, though there is theory to understand but the major learning is by doing it practically, like learning how to drive and learning how to shoot.

In practical learning, you will get guidance from the person who knows the subject and has done it several times before he/she started teaching the same.

Like, when you go to learn how to fly, the person who is going to teach you has already completed so many hours of flying experience and now he is going to teach you.

Theoretical vs Practical

What Are The Benefits of Theoretical vs Practical Learning

It is not about one vs another, as you have seen you need both. So, understanding of benefits of each will help you more when you are developing your skill.

Benefits Of Theoretical Learning

Understanding important concepts before you get into action is very important and can save a lot of time energy and other resources.

Know Your WHY

Theoretical learning can help you to get more insights into what you can expect during your how part and also after you complete the practical, the result part.

Now this understanding of why and how will help you to judge which methods will work in which situations and why.

Now you can choose your methods and complete how you want to do it.

Being An Expert

Having all the possible knowledge about the subject and the domain will make you an expert. After some point in time doing things will take you to a certain level.

To excel further you will need knowledge so that you can innovate new ways of doing things. This combination of knowledge and experience makes a difference in your productivity.

Being Resource Full

If you observe leaders, you will realize these are the people with a lot of knowledge and experience of doing things in any field.

So, go on reading more books, and attending knowledge sessions to improve your knowledge.

Participate in discussions, find opportunities to meet people from your domain, and share your experience and knowledge.

Benefits Of Practical Learning

Understanding Beyond Words

When you go through the practical learning experience you will realize that now you understand the concepts in detail.

Now you have that knowledge of how to use things when required in different situations.

In this stage, you will find the theoretical vs practical knowledge difference.

You will remember your first solo ride on a bicycle, no matter how much we learn before we get on the wheels.

Failure/Mistakes Are A Source Of Learning

Once you know by mistakes how things don’t work you will be very quick to find out how things can work for you, rather than just thinking different options and not trying.

Lot of people in their talk admitted that whatever they have learned from their mistakes they have never forgotten and it always helps them to do things in the right way.

Doing IT Together

When you are doing things practically most of the time you are not alone. So, practical learning also promotes teamwork and improves your productivity as a team player.

You will also get feedback from different people and you can improve using these feedbacks and suggestions.

Conclusion

Now you have understood the difference between theoretical knowledge vs practical skills.

The point is you will need some knowledge to do the things and when you actually do things you learn more.

So you need both theoretical and practical learning.

It is not about the comparison but more about how you can utilize both methods. So, readd more and do more.

Let us know what you think or your experience on learning and skill development in comment section below.