by Ken Whittaker, Front Rush
I’ve learned enough for one lifetime…said nobody ever. The reality is, we learn something new every day (gross, clichè) through the people we meet, the news we watch or read, or the work we do. There’s no doubt that knowledge surrounds us, and as new technology comes out, it’s very easy to feel dated. It seems like every year there’s a new social media craze, companies trying to remove the everyday need for the laptop, TVs that offer a clearer-than-life picture, and technology that makes us feel like dinosaurs at times. So, how can we stay relevant and keep learning – without breaking the bank?
Well, because we live in this technology driven society – we can leverage this to our advantage. As a software developer, I must continue to learn and adapt new technology, languages, and proficiencies to be sure the products and applications I build meet or exceed the end user’s standards. Newsletters, articles, blog posts, and Twitter can all be instrumental in getting pointed in the right direction. However, don’t be fooled into believing that this is only possible for technology geeks such as myself. Of course, online courses are a great resources for people looking to advance in their current career, but also offer tremendous benefit for picking up a hobby or learning more about something you’ve always been passionate about or interested in. You may surprise yourself how much you already knew, how much you’ve been lead on to believe, and how much is out there still to be learned.
One of my favorite online course sites is Udemy. Many courses are inexpensive, sometimes being discounted as low as $10 and ranging up to $200. After signing up for a free account, you can purchase access to any number of Udemy courses taught by various instructors across the globe. From learning languages to finding out how to get that six pack in the gym, Udemy offers thousands of courses that you can purchase and participate in at your pace. Many courses also offer a section that allow you to post questions to the instructor, and they have the opportunity to respond to you. Of course, this will vary based on the instructor, but is a useful resource if you get stuck or really want to learn more.
Lynda is another option, though I admit I have not used it yet. Their pricing model is a little different by which you can pay around $20 or $30 per month for unlimited access to thousands of courses. This would be a good option for anyone that wants the ability to hop around topics without the need to pay for multiple courses. Also, if you accidentally dive in to a course that is too difficult or too easy, you could potentially switch to another one without having to worry that you’ve wasted your money.
One of the last ways you could gain some extra knowledge is through various podcasts (hey, I hear Dan Tudor just launched their own podcast!) or TEDTalks. These offer a wider range of topics, from sports to healthy eating choices, and is a more passive way to learn new things. Podcasts have been around for a while now, but if you find a topic you’re passionate about and want to learn more, or just want to be inspired or hear a success story, podcasts offer a relaxing way to get those neurons firing. Don’t know what a neuron is? Maybe a podcast or Udemy course on Psychology might be a great start!