Effective Methods for Learning New Technological Skills

Learning Efficiency: Effective Methods for Learning New Technological Skills

We already know that the world of technology is advancing at a dizzying pace, so keeping up with the latest knowledge and trends is more crucial than ever. This article is dedicated to those who wish to start or continue their learning journey in the vast universe, mainly of technology, although it could apply to any field. Here we will explore effective and practical methods for acquiring new technological skills, adaptable to different learning styles and paces.

Understanding Learning

Effective learning begins with understanding how we learn. There are various learning styles, with three primary types often discussed: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

• Visual Learners: Prefer learning through images, diagrams, and videos.
• Auditory Learners: Benefit from listening to lectures, podcasts, and discussions.
• Kinesthetic Learners: These individuals learn best through hands-on experiences and physical activities. They thrive when actively engaged in the learning process, often remembering and understanding information better when they can interact with it physically. This could involve practical exercises, experiments, or even moving around while studying. Kinesthetic learners excel in environments where they can build, create, or perform tasks related to the subject matter.

Recognizing your learning style, whether it’s visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, can significantly optimize your educational process.

Learning Methods in Technology

• Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer a wide range of courses in technology, from basic programming to advanced artificial intelligence. These courses often include both theory and practice, making them ideal for comprehensive learning.
• Project-Based Learning: Creating your own projects, like a website or an app, allows you to apply what you’ve learned and face real problems, solidifying your knowledge.
• Tutorials and Step-by-Step Guides: Self-learning through tutorials on sites like YouTube or specialized blogs is an excellent way to learn at your own pace.
• Learning Communities: Participating in communities, whether on Discord, Reddit, or specific forums, allows you to share doubts and solutions, creating a collaborative learning environment.

For kinesthetic learners, engaging in project-based learning and hands-on activities like coding, building circuits, or participating in interactive tech workshops can be particularly effective.

Setting Goals and Learning Plans

Setting clear and achievable goals is critical. Whether it’s learning a programming language in six months or creating a website in one month, these goals will keep you focused. A personalized study plan should include regular study schedules, breaks and periodic reviews. Although we will mention some nuances.

Tools and Resources

Numerous tools can facilitate your learning. Applications like Enki for learning programming languages or software development platforms like GitHub are great aids, as well as Kaggle Data Science, where you can get free datasets and access different projects. In addition, there are many other free resources available online, such as documentation and e-books.

Overcoming Obstacles

This is a very important point, as it has a direct impact on the motivation to continue on the path or force your way out.
It is normal to face frustration and stagnation. When this happens, remember to take breaks, seek help from communities or rethink your learning methods. Staying motivated is key, and sometimes a slight change in approach can make a big difference.

Understanding Learning Efficiency

Demystifying Learning Efficiency

Contrary to popular belief, periods of 5-minute breaks followed by study sessions do not automatically guarantee greater learning efficiency. The key here is not just the renewal of focus and attention but also the ability to process and consolidate information effectively.

Attention and Focus vs. Actual Performance

While attention and focus are crucial, they are not the sole determinants of effective learning. Many people can study with high concentration for short periods, but their performance in applying that knowledge varies. This is due to differences in cognitive ability to understand, break down, and assimilate information into their knowledge network.

The Role of Cognitive Habits

The real challenge lies in developing cognitive habits that facilitate information processing. For example, if you understand a concept only superficially after a class, while a peer comprehends it deeply, the difference lies not in attention or focus but in the cognitive strategies used to understand and assimilate the information.

Breaks and Cognitive Skills

Taking breaks is beneficial for maintaining focus and energy but doesn’t necessarily improve cognitive skills like understanding or memory. Breaks help maintain concentration, especially when it wanes after 20 to 30 minutes of study. However, if you continue to face difficulties despite these breaks, it’s likely due to other factors limiting your learning efficiency.

Overcoming Learning Barriers

Improving in self-regulated learning involves continually overcoming barriers and challenges. As you resolve issues related to attention and focus, you’re likely to discover other aspects to improve, like comprehension and memorization strategies. This is the essence of efficient and self-directed learning.

Practical Tips: Key Habits

1.Set Specific and Realistic Goals: Define the skill or set of skills you want to acquire and set specific and achievable goals. This will give you a clearer sense of direction and help you measure your progress.

2. Create a Conducive Study Environment: Ensure your study space is free from distractions and comfortable. A proper environment can significantly increase your ability to concentrate and learn. Later I will show you in detail some tips for creating a study and work space that helps concentration.

3. Engage in Active Learning: Instead of just reading or listening, actively participate in the learning process. This can include taking notes, summarizing, or applying what you’ve learned in practical projects.

4. Utilize Spaced Repetition Techniques: Spaced repetition is a study technique that involves reviewing learned material at increasingly longer intervals. This improves retention and long-term memory.

5. Practice Teaching: Explaining to someone else what you have learned is a great way to consolidate your knowledge. Teaching a concept can reveal areas you need to reinforce and deepen your understanding of the topic. Tip: A next step would be to try to explain to someone close to you (who is not knowledgeable about your field) about your learning. Believe me, if you can explain it to your mother in a simple way, you’ve got it! 😉

6. Take Smart Breaks: Scheduled breaks can increase productivity and concentration. The Pomodoro Technique, for example, suggests working for 25 minutes straight followed by a 5-minute break, or Eisenhower Box Technique (Eisenhower Matrix) which helps prioritize tasks by dividing them into four categories based on urgency and importance. Ideal for decision-making and prioritization.

7. Reflect and Self-Assess: Regularly take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and assess your understanding. This can involve taking practice tests, solving problems, or simply meditating on the learned concepts.

8. Seek Feedback and Collaboration: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your progress. Engaging in online communities, study groups, or mentorships can provide valuable insights and support.
For example, there is a great community on Twitter, Slack groups, etc. Use them! There are also some challenges like , among others. Even I have taken that challenge as a way to pick up habits and improve. You can take a look at my blog posts about the challenge.

9. Maintain Curiosity and Flexibility: Be open to new methods and learning resources. Technology and educational tools are constantly evolving, so maintaining a curious attitude can help you discover more effective ways to learn.

10. Use Noise-Canceling Headphones: For those who struggle with concentration, using noise-canceling headphones can be a game-changer. They help create a more focused environment by blocking out distracting background noise.

11. Leverage Dual Monitors: Utilizing two screens can significantly enhance your efficiency, especially when coding or working with multiple applications. It allows for more workspace, easier access to resources, and the ability to compare or reference materials side-by-side.

12. Prioritize Personal Care and Wellbeing: Last but not least, never underestimate the importance of sleep, healthy eating, and regular exercise. A healthy body and mind are fundamental for effective learning.

🎧I leave you here the Huberman Lab podcast where he addresses this kind of issues, I think it will help you a lot.

Creating a Productive Study and Work Environment

Before concluding, I would like to comment in support of Practical Tips point 2 “Create a Conducive Study Environment” that there are several methods and strategies for creating a conducive study and work environment, especially for those who have difficulty concentrating. Here are the tips:

1. Designated Workspace: Choose a specific place for studying and working. This place should be quiet, comfortable, and well-lit. Avoid studying in bed or places associated with leisure.
2. Minimize Distractions: Reduce distractions by eliminating unnecessary noise and turning off devices not needed for work. If possible, use apps that block distracting websites during study periods.
3. Organization and Planning: Plan your study time with an agenda or calendar. Set specific goals and objectives for each study session to maintain focus.
4. Time Management Techniques: Use techniques such as the aforementioned, the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This technique helps maintain concentration and prevents burnout.
   It is worth mentioning that I have only mentioned two of these techniques, but there are many more. I will probably upload a new blog post dedicated to these types of techniques.
5. Comfortable Environment: Ensure that your workspace has a comfortable chair and a desk at the right height. Physical comfort is important for maintaining concentration.
6. Environment Control: Adjust the lighting and temperature to comfortable levels. Sometimes, proper lighting and a comfortable temperature can make a big difference.
7. Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation and breathing exercises before starting to study can improve concentration.
8. Ambient Sounds or Music: For some people, listening to soft music or ambient sounds (like white noise) can help improve concentration.
9. Active Breaks: Take regular breaks to stretch, walk around, or do some light physical activity. This helps keep the mind fresh.
10. Nutrition and Hydration: Maintain a balanced diet and drink enough water. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, as they can cause energy spikes and crashes.

If you would like to find out more about how to improve your study and work environment, I leave you information about the Hygge concept, which is very present in my life, and it could be of help to you as well. 🔗I leave you information on how to apply it in this link.

Remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not be effective for another. It is important to experiment with different strategies and find the one that best suits your individual needs.

Conclusion

Acquiring new technology skills is an exciting and challenging journey, which can sometimes cause some frustration. This journey can be incredibly rewarding but with the use of the right methods and approaches. Each person has his or her own assimilation of knowledge, the interesting thing is to be able to identify our learning style.

Call to Action

I invite you to choose one of the methods mentioned and start learning something new today. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. When do you start your learning adventure?
 

📚 Recommended Books

• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
• Bringing the Neuroscience of Learning to Online Teaching: An Educator’s Handbook
• Learning Habits: Drive a Learning Culture to Improve Employee and Business Performance
• Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
• Atomic Habits (EXP): An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
• The 80–20 Learner: Shortcuts to Fluency, Knowledge, Skills, and Mastery

I hope this article has provided you with the necessary tools to take the first step or continue your journey in technological learning.

Thanks 🫶🏻