Learning On Demand
Malcolm Knowles said, “Adults should acquire the skills necessary to achieve the potentials of their personalities. Every person has capacities that, if realized, will contribute to the well-being of himself and of society.”
Was there ever a time when you're asked a question you didn't know the answer to? Or something fascinating got your attention that you wanted so bad to know how it works or how to do it yourself? I bet the first thing you would do is Google that thing or watch a Youtube video.
World Wide Web provided me with so many learnings, perhaps some of them if it was ten years ago, I can only learn by getting a formal education. It has been an avenue not just for research but also for self-directed, on-demand and informal learning.
Working in the multi-media field, I got my hands on different kinds of technology, but I cannot say that I have learned the skills that I use today from my formal education. In fact, I can say that most, if not all the skills I know are skills modeled by mentors at work or self-taught via the net.
Learning theories is one thing, but the application of skills is another story. I have learned communication theories from college which helped me in understanding peoples behavior towards different forms of media. However, applying the methods using various digital communication tools was equally as challenging and essential. Video editing for example and designing websites are just a few of the things that I've learned through online or informal learning. I remember back when Final Cut Pro (FCP) was first launched. No one was teaching how to use it. Perhaps no one knew how to explain it and all of us, novice editors would just have to learn it on our own. Something that can already be achieved these days by taking post-secondary education, short courses or... by watching Youtube.
Today, with just a quick search on the web, you can watch different versions of tutorials on how to edit videos using different kinds of video editing software. Just like that, one can be a skilled or knowledge-based worker. There is almost no limit to learning but ones motivation to learn. How long it takes you to learn something only depends on you.
Sites like Stack Exchange personalizes online participation and learning by creating a network of communities that offers space to make a social connection among groups that share the same interests for users to learn, discover and be inspired in their field of interest. It has allowed myself and a lot of people to take control of what they want to know and what they are willing to learn as well as what group to be part of.
On a personal note, whenever there's a random thing that is unfamiliar or new to me, I would almost instantaneously look up a how-to video or a blog so I can learn about it. While its also convenient to learn about the world and current events from feeds that appear in my social media accounts.
From making banana bread to my kids' questions on how skyscrapers are built, creating a website and even discoveries in artificial intelligence, I can learn anything and everything as long as I have access to the internet.
It's not to say that online learning is better or can replace formal education. There is still an advantage and absolute comfort in taking face-to-face sessions or classes. The ability to ask a question to a teacher, receive instant specific feedback and explaining an argument as you are thinking of it in a group discussion gives a certain level of personal interaction that is harder to replicate in online learning.
Either way, the internet is a game changer in education and learning. From basic knowledge to high-level skills, it has changed the way we learn and has opened a lot of opportunities in gaining abilities and accessing information to many people all over the world. The digital space has allowed not just adults but even young kids to achieve their potentials to either be influencers, creators or online learners, all to benefit their interest and passion. Sky's the limit in the field of online learning.