In today’s rapidly changing and evolving world, standing still is the same as falling behind. The only way to get ahead and stay ahead is to continually acquire new knowledge, skills and experience. Unfortunately, we’re all so busy just staying afloat that it’s difficult to find the time in our hectic schedules for learning.
One of the most popular solutions to the growing problem of fitting education and personal development into our busy lives is computer-based training. With computer-based training, you can learn only the skills you need, set your own pace, and practice your new skills as you learn them. While computer-based training isn’t right for every learning need, it can be a fast, affordable and convenient solution in the right situation.
How can you determine if computer-based training is right for you? We’ve identified five helpful criteria to help you decide.
Self-Motivation
Are you self-motivated when it comes to accomplishing a goal or completing a project? If so, computer-based training is probably a good fit for you. Since there’s no one standing over you to make sure you do your homework or get through that next lesson, your motivation will need to come from within. If you’ve previously had success with setting goals for yourself and meeting them, you’re likely to find success with online learning.
On the other hand, if you don’t think you’re self-motivated, or if you know that you accomplish more when you’re accountable to someone else, you still might be able to make computer-based training work for you. Try creating a system of rewards to keep you focused on your accomplishments. For example, you might allow yourself 30 minutes of TV for every hour of training you complete. You can also try making your online learning goal public by sharing it with family members, friends or other people close to you. Tell them what you plan to accomplish and by when, and then encourage them to follow up with you on your progress frequently. Choose someone who will challenge you and keep you on track.
Self-Pacing
Do you work well when given the chance to set your own time lines and pace of work? One of the great advantages of computer-based training is the ability to learn at your own speed. In contrast to classroom-based training, in which all students proceed at the same pace and you know that the course will take 6 or 12 weeks, computer-based training allows you to work as quickly or as slowly as you wish. This means that if the course involves 30 hours of online learning, you can complete it in two days or two months, depending on your own needs and ability to master new information and skills.
If you learn better with a more rigid time line, you might still be able to find computer-based training options that will work for you. Some online courses meet at prescribed times, just like classroom courses, and move forward at a predetermined pace.
This ordered approach tends to work well for people who require a little more structure to their learning time lines.
Independent Learning
Do you learn well when you’re on your own? Most computer-based training involves a significant amount of work that you complete by yourself. The benefit is that you don’t need to coordinate with other people or make time in your schedule for group work. If you’re an independent learner who learns best by reading, practicing and synthesizing new information by yourself, you’re probably a natural for computer-based training.
Online training, however, is not without its interaction and collaboration. As we’ll discuss later, many online offerings include e-mail, chat and message forums that allow learners to work and learn together. If you are a collaborative learner, these courses might work for you. If online collaboration isn’t available, consider finding a friend or loved one to go through the course with you. You’ll still have the flexibility to work independently, but you’ll have the added ability to learn socially.
Practical Learning
Do you learn best when you are able to practice new skills and apply new knowledge as you learn it? Computer-based training usually includes interactive elements that give you the chance to apply your learning as it happens and to receive feedback instantly on your proficiency. Most adults find practical application a very effective learning approach. However, if you prefer to have more time to absorb new information before you use it, you have the ability to set your own pace, as described above. This allows you to take the time you need to internalize your learning before you practice it.
Online Communication and Collaboration
Are you comfortable with communicating and collaborating online? Several computer-based training offerings incorporate online communication into the learning process, offering the opportunity for learners from all over the world to interact, share their experiences and learn from each other. Using e-mail, instant messaging and online message boards, these courses create virtual classrooms to allow people to learn collaboratively, in spite of great distances. If you’re already comfortable with electronic communication, this is likely to be a very valuable feature of online learning. You might even make some new friends!
If you haven’t yet gained familiarity and comfort with e-mail, instant messaging or other online methods of communicating, participating in a computer-based training course is a great opportunity to change that. Having a specific reason to practice using these 21st-century approaches to human interaction is likely to make it feel more natural and to give you the motivation you need to master them.
There’s so much to learn in our world of rapid and continual change that it’s hard to find the time to stay on top of everything. If gaining new skills and knowledge is important to you, computer-based training might be the answer for your needs. Evaluate your own preferences and abilities against the five criteria we’ve described, and then get ready to dive into the exciting world of online learning.
