Today, there are numerous ways to obtain information, increase knowledge and self-educate. Books, podcasts and E-books are just a few of the ways in which to do so.
With so much diversity available, which method is the most effective when it comes to achieving the greatest results?
Establishing an End Game
Before seeking the most advantageous method, first you have to establish an end game, ask yourself, ‘What do I hope to achieve, what is the end result of this journey I am about to embark upon?’
Perhaps you wish to increase your knowledge on a particular subject that will in turn help you perform a certain job more efficiently? Or have recently taken an interest in a new hobby, writing for example, wishing to learn more and feed your curiosity. Maybe, you simply just want to be entertained.
Whatever the reason, understanding the desired outcome is the perfect place to start when deciding on which method of learning will be best suited to you and the goals you hope to achieve.
Each person is different, there are no right or wrong ways to learn. Self-education is a personal journey, one which has no set rules.
Tried & Tested
As previously mentioned, there are multiple ways in which to obtain information and increase your knowledge.
I can only express opinions on the techniques that I personally have tried and found to be most effective in reaching various targets.
I have experimented with a handful of methods, which began in my school days — gathering together enough information in the hope of creating an assignment acceptable enough to satisfy the eerie obsession that teachers had for grading poorly presented work — through to more recent projects that have sparked my interest and have I taken it upon myself to learn more.
The list below shows the various methods which I have experimented with on my quest to better myself, self-educate and expand my mind.
· Books — The age-old method that has stood the test of time. Even now in the ‘digital’ age where information is available to us at the drop of a hat, books are a lot of peoples first stop not only when it comes to learning, but also for entertainment. A great sense of pride and accomplishment washes over me each time I complete a book. Unfortunately, speed reading is not a trait that I am blessed with so when the yearning for information arises within me, a book is usually not my first choice. Books tend to be a source of entertainment for myself, a tool to spark the imagination and perhaps learn at a leisurely pace.
· Podcasts — The modern-day radio station. I am an avid listener of podcasts and enjoy a wide range of genres. The convenience of a podcast makes them an ideal learning tool for the energetic folk among us, living an active lifestyle and always on the go, just plug in the earbuds, hit the play button and be on your way, expanding your mind as you go. Nowadays, there are podcasts on almost any subject you could think of. Not only are there such a huge array of genres to choose from but a lot of the people who produce them are at the top of their chosen fields, making them the perfect mentors to learn from. I use podcasts as a tool to give me direction in my quest for knowledge, taking note of any ideas that catch my attention and conducting further, in depth research at a later date.
· Audiobooks — A lot like podcasts, the audiobook is ideal for someone who is on the go. One perk of purchasing an audiobook for your entertainment or learning is that a lot of the times the author of the book is the person to narrate on the recording. The advantage of this is, they quite often go off tangent whilst reading the book and explain the point or message they are hoping to portray in certain areas, providing additional information and examples that may have not been available in the written copy. Again, I prefer to use audiobooks as a means of direction towards my learning goals.
· E-books — As a source of learning, E-books are not top of my list. Perhaps the reason behind this is that nowadays it seems as though everyone has an E-book available for download, all you got to do is provide your email address, which then leads to your inbox over flowing with spam emails which you will most likely delete without opening until one day, three months later, when you finally decide to unsubscribe from the mailing list and give your inbox a spring clean. I feel because anyone can produce an E-book that it has diminished their value in a way, especially as, quite often it has been used as a marketing gimmick with the sole purpose of obtaining your email address, as mentioned previously, to peddle the creator’s latest products.
· Online Courses — School at your own pace. When it comes to adding a new skill set to your arsenal, I believe online courses are a godsend. Similar to podcasts in that a lot of online courses are run and produced by experts in their fields. Learning at your own pace is a huge attraction to me. Having the flexibility to watch a video, which is the format most of the courses are sold, take notes, then apply what you have learned before moving on to the next step is perfect for someone like me who learns by doing. A great tip is to always do your research into the course and the mentor providing it as there have been cases of scam artists trying to cash in on a person’s thirst for knowledge. As online courses can be pretty pricey, it’s best to ensure you are getting exactly what you desire from the course, the material on offer will in fact be of benefit to you and that the provider is legit before making that purchase.
Conclusion
Above are a list of popular techniques that I personally have tried and tested. All of which are a great source of learning or entertainment, it is up to you to choose which best suits your preferences and needs.
I would like to add, it is all fine and dandy absorbing new exciting knowledge, developing new skill sets via the methods mentioned above, but to achieve any actual, physical results and reach your goals ACTION needs to be applied.
Application is the key to your success, so take what you have learned and make it work for you.
Have I missed out your preferred method of learning? If so, please leave a comment below and share the techniques you find most successful in your quest for knowledge and self-education, I’d be keen to give them a try.
I aim to improve my writing with each article so I welcome any tips or advice.
Thank you.
