Educational Platforms: Digital Tools for Lifelong Learning

 

Learning is the acquisition of knowledge and should  not end when we finish school. Education should not be limited to the formal acquiring of a certificate. Whether for personal growth, advancing a career or just keeping updated, continuous learning is crucial. Thanks to online platforms that have made knowledge accessible, you can now learn anything from anywhere, at your own pace, no pressure. 

In this article we would explore some of the best digital educational platforms and why you should make learning a regular part of your routine. 

Why regular learning matters

• Just as food and exercise keeps us physically healthy, learning new things regularly keeps us mentally healthy. Information nourishes the mind. If we stop learning, we become stagnant and soon begin to decline. 
• Continuous learning helps you feel positive and happy. Learning new skills can give you a sense of fulfillment and make you feel better about yourself. 
• Your self esteem increases and you become more confident in your knowledge. It becomes easier for you to interact with other people and boldly face whatever life throws your way.
• You would easily adapt to changing circumstances and be prepared for any shock in the normal flow of things. The digital era we are in is fast paced and changes occur at a very rapid rate. Clinging to the knowledge gained five years ago would not help you keep abreast. By continuing to learn, you ensure that you have the right skills for the present situation. 
• You stay relevant and will be able to remain competitive in your field.
•  You would also be better able to handle new opportunities whenever they arise, as you would have the current skills needed to take advantage of those opportunities. 
• Learning is growth. If you want to keep growing, then you should keep learning. Aim to learn something new everyday. 

Digital educational platforms for continuous learning 

Thanks to digital technology, you can learn anything regardless of your age, location, background or skill level. Several online tools are available to help you learn at your own pace. Some of which are:

1. Coursera: Partnering with the best institutions like Google and Yale, Coursera offers various online courses, specialization and  degrees. It has a wide range of subjects such as business, technology and arts. The courses are flexible and learners can progress at their own speed. 
2. edX: Similar to Coursera, edX provides courses from top universities and organizations. It has a variety of free courses, and also offers paid programs for certification or more specialized knowledge. 
3. Udemy: Thousands of courses taught by professionals have their home here. You can find a course on almost everything - coding, photography, marketing, and more. 
4. LinkedIn Learning: Specializing in professional development, LinkedIn Learning focuses on workplace skills such as leadership and project management. The courses here are bite sized and can be easily fitted into a busy schedule. 
5. Khan Academy: For academic subjects like history, maths and science, Khan is an excellent free resource. It is great for students and self learners who need extra help with school subjects. The lessons are structured in simple and easy to understand formats. 
6. Wikipedia: While not a formal educational platform, it is a free online encyclopedia that has millions of in depth articles on almost every subject. It is a great tool for accessing information quickly and getting a general overview about topics. Keep in mind, however, that due to the ability for anyone to edit Wikipedia, it's reliability is often questioned. Always fact check information on it. Despite this, it is a great reference and can be a part of your learning tools. I would often start out with Wikipedia to get a general idea about the topics I am learning  and then read other books and articles on that subject. 

How to get the most out of these Platforms 

1. Set clear goals. Before starting a course or using an educational platform, identify what you want to achieve. I aim to read at least one article a day,  and complete at least one course a month. Break your goals into small manageable steps, this would keep you focused and motivated. 
2. Structure your learning. I find that having a clearly defined content structure helps my learning. Instead of just learning anything that pops into your mind, having a structure like a curriculum would ensure you consistently learn regularly. Most courses already have this, as they include an ordered list of topics from simple to complex, spanning the entirety of the course. This helps you measure your progress as you can clearly see what you have covered and what you are yet to complete. It is really helpful in measuring your progress and keeping you on track. 
3. Engage actively. Don't just watch videos or read articles passively. Take notes, complete exercises and quiz yourself. This would help you retain the information better and enhance your understanding of it. Some of these platforms like Coursera offer interactive exercises after each lesson. 
4. Join communities and discussion forums. Asking questions and sharing insights can help deepen your understanding of the topic you are learning. Most of the content on these platforms are static, they are not live and as such you may be unable to ask questions directly from the instructor. However, these platforms often offer a community section where you can interact with instructors and other learners. Should the platform you use not offer this, you can take advantage of external online forums such as Quora, Reddit and Stackexchange.
5. Be consistent. Regular learning is key. Set aside a specific amount of time daily or weekly for learning. Even 20 or 30 minutes a day can lead to significant progress over time. 

In conclusion, 

Lifelong learning is an investment in yourself. With so many digital educational platforms available, expanding your knowledge is now easier. Do you want to advance your career, pick a new hobby or simply stay informed, these tools provide the flexibility and resources needed to keep learning. 

Start exploring. Begin that next chapter. Read that new article. Enroll for that course. 

Continue your journey towards personal and professional growth. 

Till my next post, 

Stay Enlaitened!