Learning in the Real World (Learning by Doing)

Goal

1. Describe the concept of learning in the real world.

2. Skillfully apply it to your own learning.

What?

“Learning in the real world” means applying what you’re striving to learn in contexts that are authentic and meaningful to you. While you can—and often should—include textbook problems, you must also involve real-life applications that matter to you.

This method is also called “Learning by Doing,” because that’s exactly what it is. Examples:

• Learn coding by building programs that solve problems you care about.

• Learn statistics by applying concepts to questions that arise in your everyday life.

• Learn U.S. Government by analyzing and debating current issues.

• Learn chemistry by applying core principles to useful, real-world situations.

Rationale (Why Learn by Doing?)

Learning by doing offers several major benefits:

1. Learning for Doing – This approach shifts the focus to learning in order to do something useful, not just to meet requirements, earn grades, or collect credentials. For many learners, doing something meaningful is far more motivating than external rewards like degrees or grades.

2. Immediate Use – You apply what you’re learning right away (like today), not for some vague future career.

3. Enjoyable and Rewarding – Real-world success builds motivation and can become deeply satisfying—almost addictive.

4. Highly Effective – You build competence by figuring out how to make information work for you.

5. Widely Applicable – It works in school, at home, on the job—anywhere learning happens.

Concerns:

• It’s surprisingly uncommon.

• It’s hard for teachers to implement in many school systems—but any learner with the right skill set can do it on their own. Teachers can and should help students develop this skill.

• Benefits grow over time as you gain skill with the method—it won’t feel perfect at first.

Learning in the Real World (How To)

Principle: Learning by doing can be applied to anything that can be learned (let’s call it X).

Here’s the basic framework:

1. Set a Goal – Define the knowledge or performance you’re aiming for.

2. Figure Out How – Gather information that helps you reach the goal. Use textbooks, lessons, examples—whatever helps you understand how to succeed.

3. Apply It – Do something real and useful that lets you try out the information.

4. Get Feedback – Use feedback to improve your understanding and results.

Repetitions: Repeat this cycle until the goal is reached.

Tip: This is the core of “learning by doing.” For more details and strategies, see related pages.