Hi Hands-On Learning: Why Woodworking In Schools Is Important.
Hands-on learning courses were once a standard part of curricula in schools everywhere. These types of classes slowly started to fade away. One prime example is woodworking. Woodworking classes can enhance an education in many ways that purely academic courses cannot. Woodworking in schools is still important for several reasons.
Hand-Eye Coordination:
Woodworking teaches basic and advanced hand-eye coordination in children while the brain is still developing. Children and teenagers can learn abstract thinking skills that allow for better coordination between visual cues, tactile cues and mental images. Developing good hand-eye coordination can provide an advantage throughout life.
Learn Basic Tool Use:
Woodworking teaches students how to use a range of basic tools. Some students might never have the opportunity to learn how to use a saw, plane or drill in any other environment. Students might even learn how to operate machinery like a lathe, band saw or belt sander. These tool skills can be very useful later when making repairs to a house or building furniture. The skills could even start a lifelong love of woodworking.
Spatial Visualization:
Woodworking requires students to think abstractly in three dimensions. This develops spatial visualization in the brain. Spatial visualization allows students to better understand the relationship between objects in space. It is an essential ability for students who want to enter into science, engineering or math careers. It can improve grades in subjects like geometry and trigonometry. Good spatial visualization skills also help with everyday activities like sports and driving.
Teach Complex Problem-Solving:
Academic problem-solving usually relies on memorization and recall. Problem solving in a woodworking classes relies more heavily on creativity, constructive thinking and intuition. This type of complex problem-solving uses more areas of the brain across a wider range of topics. This will help students to apply their creativity to find solutions in life when they encounter problems.
Manufacturing and Technology Knowledge:
Students in a woodworking class can learn a great deal about manufacturing and technology. The process of turning a few pieces of wood into something that has added value and functionality will highlight how complex items in the world today are made. Students will also see how technology is used to convert raw materials into usable items. These lessons are difficult to teach through other mediums.
Encourage Creativity:
Woodworking requires precision and attention to detail. It can also be a way to express creativity and artistry. Students in woodworking classes can explore personal expression by creating unique pieces. Unlike some classes, woodworking actually encourages creativity and different ways of thinking.
Show the Value of Trades and Labor:
There has been an overemphasis on technology careers in the last few decades. Woodworking classes directly show students the value of labor. Students learn that the labor put into a task can result in a usable and attractive product. Woodworking also teaches the value of working in trades like carpentry. Students will learn how much skill and knowledge is required in order to work with wood professionally.
Put Academic Subjects into Context:
Woodworking allows students to actually apply the knowledge learned in other classes. Woodworking can involve geometry, chemistry and physics. Students will be able to see the practical applications of different algorithms and formulas. This real-world context makes it easier to grasp increasingly complex concepts later.
