TEMPLATE-ASSISTED LEARNING MATERIAL (TALM): A LABORATORY-BASED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING RESOURCE FOR PIPING TECHNIQUES IN CULINARY EDUCATION

Abstract

Piping techniques are important psychomotor skills in culinary and pastry education, relying on precision, coordination and requiring a great deal of repetition to create mastery in the craft. Yet students need to learn and expand such skills effectively, which are often limited by constraints on instructional time and exposure to the pastry-based subject, particularly in programmes where pastry modules occupy a smaller portion of the programme structure. In this conceptual paper, we suggest template-assisted learning materials (TALM) as a laboratory-based experiential learning approach to improve the teaching and learning of piping principles and techniques. Based on Kolb's experiential learning theory (ELT), the proposed approach blends structured visual templates to scaffold guided practice, repetition and self-directed learning. Through a literature synthesis, the paper identifies challenges in current instructional practices and develops a conceptual reasoning that illustrates how template-assisted learning can improve skill acquisition, confidence, and consistency in piping performance. The paper further suggests that such an approach can maximise limited classroom time and support diverse learner needs in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) settings. The study provides a foundation for future empirical validation in culinary education.