Abstract:

The current paper is the result of an experiment done in a university of agriculture, where students realize that they need to practice real-life skills, gain knowledge of the world, and develop expertise in viewing events and issues from diverse global perspectives. They are aware that the opportunity to engage in practical activities promote their learning and prospect their post-graduation outcomes. The current paper suggests a method of improving the students' professional skills during their practical activities. The "learning by doing" method, the active engagement of students in opportunities to learn through doing, proves to be challenging and useful. The novelty of applying this method consists of moving out of the lecture room into the students' work placements, which can become their future workplaces.

Two of the specific instances of learning by doing entail practical research work in the field of forestry:
a) a detailed analysis of the connection between oak seed quality and the measurable features of their corresponding saplings (an experiment run in the controlled environment of a specialized nursery, focusing on two different oak species) and
b) applied forest mensuration (measuring techniques and activities performed by the students).

Thus, the attitude of students is positive: they become more and more motivated, more and more interested, and learn faster, their own work becomes a key factor in the process of (practical) knowledge acquisition.

Keywords:

Education, method, practice, motivation, expertise, future.