Keep Learning All Year

Discover how to access seminars and courses and other learning opportunities (many free or low-cost) for personal or professional enrichment.

As kids we learned to associate the end of August with the end of summer vacation and a return to learning. However, as adults we should know that learning goes on all the time.

We can learn through structured programs, such as seminars and online courses, or by creating our own educational opportunities. The important thing is that we keep learning and discovering new things.

Start by thinking about how you learn. Do you prefer to get your information from reading, listening, watching or doing? Most of us learn best with some combination of those methods, but we tend to be stronger in some than others. For example, I usually learn best by reading, and listening is the weakest method for me.

Of course, the best way to learn something will also depend on what you are trying to learn. I learn new computer skills best by reading instructions and performing the task, although watching (such as in video instruction) can also be helpful. Languages are best learned through listening and doing.

Using more than one instruction method will help you to retain more. That means if you read a book and watch a video, or watch a video and practice your new skill, you are more likely to remember what you learned than if you use only one modality.

Writing can also reinforce learning. Taking notes as you listen to a lecture or audio program not only gives you a good reference for review, the process of taking notes helps you to learn.

There are many inexpensive or even free ways to learn new things. Here are a few of my favorites:

iTunesU. Get a free education at Stanford, Yale and other top universities, courtesy of iTunes. You can download audio and video of classes and guest lecturers on topics ranging from business to history to science and much more. Access iTunesU through the menu at the iTunes store or at http://deimos3.apple.com/indigo/main/main.xml Note: You do not need an iPod to use iTunes.

MIT. Get notes, exams and videos from 1800 MIT classes at http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm

livemocha. Learn a language and converse with native speakers. Available courses include Spanish, French, Chinese, and even Hindi and Icelandic. It is free for now, but they do plan to charge in the future.

eHow. Articles and videos can help you grasp the essentials of a wide variety of professional and leisure topics.

Find more resources by doing an online search for your topic along with course, class, video or similar terms.

Don’t forget about local opportunities. Many organizations offer free or low-cost lectures, often featuring well-known experts. There are leisure classes available from places such as Learning Annex or the place I teach, Leisure Learning Unlimited.

And there is always the local library. Many feature speakers and classes, in addition to providing access to books, DVDs, audio programs and other learning resources.

Never stop learning!


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