Long gone are the days when you’d have to go to the library to find the answer to that burning question in your head. Now, all it takes is just a few clicks on Google, and voila – you have the answer to that question at the back of your head. The Internet provides many resources, with hundreds of thousands of websites created daily. There’s simply too much to explore, which has helped many in their journey to autodidacticism. Auto – what?
In simpler terms, it’s known as self-education. First, let’s delve into the rise of autodidacticism.
The Rise of Autodidacticism
For the longest time, many of us would resort to books for the latest information on a certain topic, whatever that genre may be. While books are still being read up to this day, a lot of Internet users have leveraged the power of search engines for their biggest queries. With lists of websites that go on for thousands of pages, it’s almost as if the Internet would never run out of resources for you to learn from.
And it doesn’t end there – there are more resources to learn from besides those websites that appear on the front page of search engine results. Think podcasts, e-books, and other videos. You can even venture into learning from online courses. The world is most definitely your oyster – it’s in your best interest to learn what you can from all of these resources that are within reach of your fingertips.
The Benefits of Autodidacticism
We all know the power of education, going to college and all that. But there is something so beneficial when it comes to self-directed learning. Learning in all forms is great, but taking the initiative to learn new topics can bring plenty of benefits. Let’s explore some of them:
Upskilling
If you want to get ahead in your career, stagnancy is the opposite of what you should strive for. Growth is always the answer. That way, employers see a career trajectory that you’d like to follow. Also, it keeps your skill set relevant in the ever-competitive landscape of almost every industry.
For example, many industries are already looking to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Taking time off from your nine-to-five to learn about emerging AI technologies can help you stay relevant in your field.
Plus, it’s beneficial for those looking to shift careers. Before making the transition, taking some time to learn about the new industry you’re eyeing can help beef up your resume.
Affordable
It’s the Internet – many things are free, learning included. That means you don’t have to take formal education to learn that technical skill that you’ve always wanted to learn. A common skill that people like learning, for instance, is coding.
With the growing need for programmers and web developers, coding is a critical skill in an era of modern technology. Resources are often affordable, if not free, so it’s best to scout around for these resources.
Customization
Have you ever had that one class in school that bored you to death? It’s okay; that happens even to the best of us. The greatest advantage of self-learning is that you are in control. Personal learning allows you to learn only what piques your interest and skip those lessons that drag on for ages.
How to Learn Anything You Want
The treasure trove of resources you have at your disposal can make it seem overwhelming. We all have passions that we want to nurture and fields that we want to learn more about. But how exactly can you start? Let’s not make it complicated. Here’s how:
Set Clear Goals
In your educational journey, define your goals. That means understanding what you want to learn and being purposeful with what you’re learning. Is it for your career? Or for leisure? Break these down into smaller, attainable goals.
Choose Suitable Learning Resources
When learning independently, know it’ll be only as effective as your chosen resource. Select one that suits your learning type best.
For example, if you’re more of an auditory learner, consider learning from podcasts. When you choose learning resources that suit you the most, you make the most out of your learning.
Engage With a Community
Learning doesn’t always have to be done alone. Some fellow learners learn autonomously. In online communities on social media and forums, you’ll find other learners with varying perspectives that can help you in your learning journey as well.
If motivation is a problem in self-directed learning, then interacting with other communities who are learning the same topic might just help you stay on track.
In Conclusion
It’s the 21st century. Learning isn’t just limited to formal education. Instead, explore the resources that you have.
Literally, within seconds, you can just start learning that new technical skill that can help advance your career. With the Internet opening new doors for us, learning has never been easier. The best thing you can do? Take advantage of it – you’ll thank yourself later.
