Publish at February 21 2024 Updated February 21 2024
Theoretical and applied training represent two distinct approaches to learning, each with its own benefits and applications.
For those of you who read my articles, you know that I like to start by laying down the definitions of the subjects I'm going to develop, so that we can all start from the same base. Here, I'm in a bit of a bind, because there's no simple definition either for theoretical training or for fundamental concepts. No one, or at least few people, have felt the need to define the basics of school education.
On the other hand, if you look at applied training, there are many more answers to be found in related subjects such as vocational training or applied sciences, for example. Since theoretical training is presented in opposition to applied training, let's take a look at what is said about applied science.
"Applied science is the body of rational knowledge that makes it possible to achieve practical goals. Applied sciences are the different disciplines of applied science: applied physics, applied mathematics, etc.
Applied and applied science complement fundamental and basic science, which is rational knowledge about the workings and history of the physical, biological and human world, irrespective of the practical considerations that may result.
Applied science progresses thanks to applied research, whose direct objective is to make this progress, but also to fundamental research, which regularly discovers new phenomena and concepts with potential applications."
Source: Wikipedia - Applied sciences - https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_appliqu%C3%A9e
"Basic science (or pure science) is the body of rational knowledge about the workings and history of the physical, biological and human world, independent of any practical considerations that may result.
The basic sciences are the various disciplines of fundamental science: fundamental physics, pure mathematics, etc.
Fundamental science and the basic sciences complement applied science and the applied sciences, which are concerned precisely with their applications. The corpus of fundamental knowledge is amplified mainly by fundamental research, but also by applied research through serendipity, just as applied science benefits from applied research but regularly also from fundamental research.
C.H. Llewellyn Smith, former Director-General of CERN, questions the linear model according to which basic research only leads to applied science, pointing out that significant industrial progress has subsequently been made thanks to science."
Source: Wilipedia - Basic science - https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fondamentale
Both definitions present the two types of rational knowledge. Who feeds both? Both, it seems, discontinuously. What's missing, however, is the theoretical part, the part that extrapolates, projects and imagines.
"A theory (from the Greek theoria, "to contemplate, observe, examine") is a coherent set of explanations, notions or ideas on a specific subject, which may include laws and hypotheses, induced by the accumulation of facts from observation, experimentation or, in the case of mathematics, deduced from a given axiomatic basis: matrix theory, torso theory, probability theory. It should not be confused with a philosophical principle, as opposed to the observed and provisionally accepted principles suggested by experience, or with a hypothesis. The term "theorist", used to describe a scientist, is opposed to "technician", which refers to someone who puts a particular science into practice.
The philosophy of science specifies that a scientific theory must meet several criteria, such as correspondence between theoretical principles and observed phenomena. A theory must also be able to make predictions about what will be observed. Finally, the theory must stand up to experience and be compatible with new facts that may be added over time, or remain valid in new areas not yet explored when it was first developed. If this is not the case, the theory must be corrected, or even invalidated outside its first domain."
Source: Wikipedia - Theory - https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9orie
In fact, the philosophical part is missing. I imagine that the key to this reflection lies at the roots of philosophy, with the Greeks.
"Ancient Greek philosophy was a system of thought that began to develop in the 6th century BC. It focused on the first cause of observable phenomena. Prior to the development of this system by Thales of Miletus (circa 585 BC), the world was understood by the ancient Greeks to have been created by the gods.
Without denying the existence of the gods, Thales suggested that the primary cause of existence was water. This suggestion met with no accusation of impiety, since water, as the source of life surrounding the earth, was already associated with the gods in Greek religion. Thales' disciples, Anaximander (c. 610-546 BC) and Anaximenes (c. 546 BC), continued his studies and research into the nature of reality, but suggested different elements as the "First Cause".
Source: Greek Philosophy - https://www.worldhistory.org/trans/fr/1-11892/philosophie-grecque/
In those days, everything came from the gods, and knowing how things were made made no sense. But some people's minds wanted to discover the secrets of the gods, and so philosophy was born. And, beyond that, the philosophical system of thought.
Just as we didn't question the gods, it's not impossible that we don't question theoretical principles. The notion of theoretical training is so obvious that it does not require a clear definition of its nature.
This subject touches on a fundamental point of education and the future of work today.
In this article the question was put to him: "What can you say about 'Theoretical versus applied training'?" And so here's his answer:
"Here are some key points to consider:
Theoretical training :
Fundamental concepts: Theoretical training courses focus on understanding the fundamental concepts of a specific field. They provide a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge.
Applied training :
Harmonious combination:
The combination of theoretical and applied training can be ideal. Theoretical foundations provide a deep understanding, while practical applications reinforce skills and professional relevance.
Context-sensitive:
The choice between theoretical and applied training often depends on the context, the learning objective and the specific field. Some fields may require a predominance of one over the other.
Ultimately, the balance between theoretical and applied training can offer a holistic approach to learning, enabling individuals to develop in-depth understanding while acquiring directly applicable skills."
Source : ChatGPT - What can you say about Theoretical versus applied training?
ChatGPT collects all the information on a given subject and presents it in a rational way. But it won't extrapolate, solve a complex subject, invent a new theory or link subjects that have never been thought of before. In any case, we journalists are certain to forget fewer resources from the world's knowledge database. And, if the question is well asked, he may gather more data than the average person blinded by cognitive biases or other beliefs.
It would be nice to say no, and that would be politically correct, but in fact it's not the case. If theoretical training is enriched by applied training, and if practical case studies reinforce what is learned, there is no similarity in the opposite. While practice can infuse theory, theory requires neural connections to be implemented that are not often found on the practical side.
"Yesterday's world of vocational training required the basic knowledge of how to read, write and count, to which was added professional apprenticeship and its preponderant field practice. Today, with the many bridges available, professionals and even teachers from both university and vocational backgrounds can occupy the same positions. This is where differences can be felt most strongly, especially when it comes to producing work based on the skills of synthesis, theoretical analysis and finding theoretical solutions, where some are confronted with their limits of competence."
Source: La formation professionnelle en mutation
Visit to the 3rd International Vocational Training Congress
https://cursus.edu/fr/11834/la-formation-professionnelle-en-mutation-visite-au-3-ieme-congres-international-de-la-formation-professionnelle
ChatGPT is just around the corner, and the robots are hot on its heels. They will be more equal than us in repetitive tasks and more efficient in scientific ones. So let's try to make the best of humanity with the theoretical capabilities of our brains, while working with machines for the practical side.
Image source - Pixabay - LTDatEHU - Modified
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