applied academics is an approach to learning which focuses on motivating and challenging students to connect what they learn with the world they experience and with what interests them. the basic premise is that if academic content is made more relevant, participatory and concrete, students learn better, retain more and apply learning in their lives. teaching in this model uses hands-on innovative teaching methods sometimes called contextual learning. teachers help students understand the reasons for studying their subject matter and capitalize on students' natural learning inclinations and problem-solving approaches they can use well beyond the classroom throughout their lives.