A lifelong learner is committed to learning more about a high-interest, personal passion, or professional topic. As a result, they are motivated to go out on their own to find learning opportunities and put what they learn into practice. Digital learning experiences accessed on a smartphone or laptop make it easier than ever to find educational experiences connected to your interests, hobbies, and professional goals.
Although lifelong learners often take formal classes or enroll in traditional education courses throughout their life, they also craft their own learning opportunities. They seek experiences that help them learn more about a topic and share their learning with others. Are you a lifelong learner? Use the strategies below to start your journey towards lifelong learning.
Join a Club
Many affinity groups come together to explore a topic they are passionate about. From book clubs to knitting clubs, you can join a group where members have similar interests and want to spend time together. This is an excellent way to find experts in your community who can teach you something new.
Host an Event
Host a live or virtual event if you want to learn more about a topic or discuss a great book you and a group of friends have read. You might invite a community member who is an expert in a subject to join so you and attendees can ask them questions and learn from their expertise.
Attend a Lecture
Organizations like museums, historical centers, and libraries often host guest speakers for in-person and virtual events. Attending a lecture given by an expert is a great way to learn more about a topic – and meet other people interested in this topic, too.
Listen to a Podcast
Whether you dive into a series with just a few episodes to listen to from start to finish, or subscribe to a podcast with fresh content each week, this audio format is popular among lifelong learners. There are podcasts on topics you might want to learn more about, from history, business, entertainment, and so many more.
Decide on a Reading Schedule
Being a lifelong learner does require a time commitment, so in addition to adding events to your calendar, you might want to decide on a schedule for exploring new ideas. This could include setting up a reading schedule in your calendar to hold you accountable for finishing a chapter or two of a new book each week.
Find a Partner
In addition to reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending events, you might want to find someone who will partner with you on this lifelong learning journey. You both can share resources, great content you’ve seen, or even set goals together.
If you’re committed to becoming a lifelong learner, there is no better time to start than right now. You might decide to join a book club, tune into a virtual lecture at a local museum, or subscribe to a podcast to help you learn more about a topic. Choose one of the strategies shared in this blog post and put it into practice today!
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Monica Burns, Ed.D. is a curriculum and educational technology consultant, and founder of ClassTechTips.com. She hosts the Easy EdTech Podcast and is author of Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom.
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