Learning is one of the great privileges of living. If you are a parent, then you get to watch your child learn about the world around them very quickly. As a student in school, you are bombarded with new information regularly about how the world operates as well as specific disciplines that you are interested in.
Some may believe that their days of learning mostly end once they are done with school, but this is far from the truth.
Learning is something that occurs at all stages of life. It’s like that old saying; “You learn something new every day.” Being intentional about obtaining knowledge is a great way to reach a higher potential as a human being, but it also benefits your mental health since it is like exercise for the brain.
In 2023, learning new information is much easier because of technology, but there are several methods you can use to optimize your educational experience. Let’s discuss some tech solutions that foster learning that you should consider using.
ChatGPT
One of the hottest topics in the world right now is artificial intelligence, and more specifically, the tool known as ChatGPT. Using ChatGPT is not the same thing as looking up questions on a search engine like Google. It has more specific parameters for what it can do, even if it appears to provide as much information as Google can.
This tool is artificial intelligence combined with a natural language model to generate human-like responses to questions. The information is drawn from many sources but it is not considered infinitely accurate.
This tool can be incredibly helpful when being introduced to a new topic, making it perfect if you want to answer specific questions that you have.
Online Course Platforms
Let’s say you want to acquire a new skill either for personal or professional endeavors. Many educational platforms have popped up in recent years that make online learning simple. These platforms provide courses that you can take from the comfort of your own home on a laptop or even a mobile phone.
Some of the most popular sites for online courses include Skillshare, Udemy, Kajabi, and Coursera. They offer a wide range of classes that range in price, including free options.
You can learn just about any type of skill by plugging into these online course platforms, and you can even obtain certifications for certain subjects so that you can use them professionally.
Usenet
What is Usenet? It is basically a discussion platform that is separate from the Internet, where people can discuss certain topics and share various forms of content. What makes this tool so unique and helpful for those wanting to learn is its discussion forum nature which is unfiltered and unmoderated.
Users discuss specific topics on boards called newsgroups, where they can also access downloadable articles. Global server networks make downloading these files faster and more secure than most internet-based platforms, so you can quickly obtain information and downloadable content about the topic you want to learn about.
Then you can engage in unregulated discussions with other users to learn even more.
Conferencing Tools
If you didn’t know what Zoom was in early 2020, you surely do now. This crucial tool skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, especially as workforces were forced to leave their offices and find new ways to collaborate. But Zoom is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of online conferencing tools.
Platforms like Google Meet, Slack, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, and other conferencing tools have become necessary elements of many workplaces, especially as the remote workforce has grown.
These technologies have also paved the way for educational needs. You can easily connect with teachers, mentors, or coaches for one-on-one conversations or group meetings that further your education thanks to these convenient conferencing platforms.
Audiobooks/Podcasts
Not everyone learns the same way. Many basic educational methods require reading information on a screen or a page and writing or typing some notes to help with retention.
Other strategies may entail back-and-forth conversations with subject matter experts. Perhaps you prefer to just listen to lectures or conversations through your earbuds to take in new information.
Audiobooks and podcasts provide an alternative method of learning that allows passive listening. It is easy to go for a walk or jog while listening to these audio formats and processing the information.
The beauty of this strategy is that it can be utilized while doing other things. Maybe you are doing the dishes and want to leverage that time to learn more about a specific subject. Simply toss in some earbuds and hit play on a podcast.
Virtual/Augmented Reality
Some knowledge-seekers may need more interactivity to learn effectively. Listening to a lecture or talking with a teacher may not be enough to retain the information. Innovations in augmented reality and virtual reality can provide a new way to learn and study.
It allows the individual to explore a virtual world and help create it, improving problem-solving skills and creativity. It is especially useful for students with learning difficulties, but it can benefit learners of all ages.
With the use of a VR or AR headset, you can participate in virtual experiences that provide a more hands-on learning experience even though the images are not a physical reality.
It is Never Too Late to Pursue an Education
Education is not just a formal institution where people pay money to attend classes when they are young before choosing a career. Education is a lifestyle that can be pursued well into old age.
Learning new subjects or skills exercises your brain, promoting better mental health, while also providing more excitement as you discover new information.
Tech solutions make learning even more accessible in 2023. ChatGPT is a great place to ask questions about specific topics. Course platforms like Udemy give you the ability to take classes and deepen your knowledge.
You can then take this knowledge to information-sharing platforms such as Usenet to engage with others about the topic and download more related content. Video conferencing tools, podcasts, and virtual/augmented reality can offer a different kind of educational experience to suit the needs of diverse learners.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your life looks like, it is never too late to increase your knowledge using tech learning solutions.
