Tools for Applied Learning in Secondary Schools

Applied learning in secondary schools is gaining importance as education systems increasingly focus on skill-based education, experiential learning and real-world application of classroom knowledge. As schools explore more work-integrated and hands-on approaches to learning, there is also a growing need to support teachers and school leaders with practical tools, curriculum strategies and implementation approaches that can make learning more relevant and engaging for students.

In this conversation, Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder-Director, National Skills Network-NSN, spoke with Dr. Alice Garner, Research Fellow at Australia India Institute (AII), about the Applied Learning Toolkit developed through an Australia–India collaboration. The discussion explored applied learning in secondary schools, teacher readiness, curriculum adaptation, assessment approaches, partnerships and the use of AI tools for accessibility and implementation support.

Below are a few excerpts from our conversation. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Q. What is the applied learning toolkit and what led to this Australia–India collaboration?

A. The project was developed through a binational collaboration involving education specialists from institutions including the Australia–India Institute (AII), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), IIIT Bangalore and the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Education.

The collaboration emerged from a common experience in both Australia and India, where there is a strong policy push towards building more skills-focused education across different education sectors.

The project was particularly focused on secondary schools and on supporting teachers and school leaders in implementing applied learning in their schools. It also recognised the diversity of school settings and the different levels of resources available to educators.

The toolkit was designed to support learning that is more connected to workplaces, communities and the outside world, while also encouraging teachers to experiment with more hands-on and experiential approaches to learning.

At the same time, the project acknowledged the heavy workload and practical challenges faced by teachers. The goal was therefore to create a flexible set of resources that educators could use based on their own needs and contexts.

The collaboration also became a shared learning experience between both countries, bringing together different perspectives on applied learning, including vocational education, skills-based education, hands-on learning and experiential learning across academic subjects.

Q. Why did the project adopt a broader approach to applied learning?

A. The project approached applied learning in an inclusive and open-minded way, where it could include not only vocational or skill-based subjects, but also traditional academic subjects. The idea was to connect classroom learning with what students will face in the real world and help them apply theoretical knowledge in more tangible and practical ways.

The approach also aimed to move away from the narrow idea that this kind of learning is only meant for a certain category of students or schools. Instead, the intention was to make applied learning accessible across the board, while also helping students build transferable or “power” skills such as communication and collaboration that are relevant across subjects and contexts.

Q. How does the toolkit support teachers and school leaders in implementing applied learning?

A. The toolkit was designed to include resources that support both small practical steps and larger systemic changes that schools and school leaders may want to introduce over time. It recognises that teachers work in very different settings with varying levels of resources, and that time remains one of the biggest challenges for both teachers and school leaders.

The toolkit also acknowledges that implementing applied learning takes collaboration and gradual effort. Instead of prescribing a fixed process or sequence, it offers flexible suggestions and practical ideas that educators can explore based on what is useful and feasible in their own context.

Q. What are the major sections covered in the Applied Learning Toolkit?

A. The toolkit is available on the Australia–India Institute website and it is free to download. Educators can download the complete 124-page PDF or access individual sections independently based on their requirements.

The toolkit has been organised into multiple sections, including:

Developing an ecosystem that supports applied learning
Adapting curriculum to applied learning
Pedagogy and lesson planning approaches
Assessment and rubric development
Partnerships with schools, communities and businesses

It also explores how teachers can make small changes to existing curriculum, collaborate across subjects and support more integrated and collaborative learning approaches.

The assessment section focuses on authentic assessment, formative assessment and understanding student learning progress, while the partnerships section encourages schools to build connections with colleagues, students, other schools and businesses.

The toolkit has been designed to make downloading, accessing and using specific topics and sections easy and flexible for educators.

Download the free toolkit on applied learning in secondary schools! – Click here to download!

Q. How can educators use the toolkit in Indian languages with the help of AI tools?

A. The discussion also explored how educators implementing skill-based or vocational courses in India may require support in Indian languages such as Hindi or Telugu.

The toolkit can be uploaded to AI tools like NotebookLM to generate summaries in Indian languages and help users understand the overall content more easily. The tools can also generate: