Three Effective Ways to Learn New Skills Which You Can Learn Online!

When it comes to picking up new skills, educating yourself or training for a specific goal, the internet is an extraordinary tool.

After all, it’s not a far-fetched statement to say that it contains the sum-total of all collected human knowledge. As such, you’d expect it’d be easy to learn calculus, or how to speak French, by sheer osmosis while browsing around.

But few of us ever really create the optimal conditions for learning new skills – and what’s more we’re always more likely to spend our time on low-friction and diverting websites and apps, such as social media.

While it’s true you can still pick up some valuable insights from, for example, a well-curated Instagram feed, the nature of social media is such that the information is always delivered in bite-sized morsels.

This is fine for the casual learner, but for those really wanting to develop their skills and understanding, more is required. With so much information out there, it can be surprisingly difficult to know where to begin.

This is made all the more challenging due to the fact that there are hundreds of businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs out there, each competing with one another for your attention and hard-earned cash.

Knowing where to go to pick up the training you need is half the battle. Another key factor is developing a rudimentary understanding of how you learn best.

Some people are natural self-starters, or autodidacts, that do best when left to their own devices. Others required a more hands-on approach.

There’s no one best way to learn as everyone is different, but having a decent idea of how you learn best can streamline the process of finding the resources you need.

Below we’re going to be looking at three effective ways you can learn new skills online. If you’re unsure which is right for you, shop around until you find the method, or blend of methods, that works for you.

One-on-One Tuition

Sometimes there’s no substitute for one-on-one tuition, and the internet doesn’t have to be a barrier to this. In fact, the truth is quite the opposite as it can connect you with experts in your field of study from across the globe

. From learning a language, to picking up guitar, sometimes the best way is to embark on focused study sessions with a coach or tutor able to deliver detailed guidance.

Thanks to video conferencing software like Zoom and Skype, it’s easier than ever to meet face-to-face with teachers able to deliver the learning experience you need.

Self-learning and Research

This is the route that benefits autodidacts, or self-learners, the best. The internet is a fantastic resource for information, and it can empower you to research virtually any topic you have an interest in, often free of charge.

One of the best ways to begin learning a new skill via this method is to identify the reputable and established names in the field you’re interested in.

For example, someone wanting to develop their poker abilities could do worse seeking out existing guides and tutorials online, such as hand-ranking resources delineating the various ones used in this game.

Another great method for the self-learner is to seek out message boards and social media groups focused on the topic they’re interested in. This is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals, trade notes and pool resources.

Follow-along Courses

There are a growing number of fantastic e-learning courses out there that can help a student who benefits from a curriculum and structured process get the most out of their learning.

Both Udemy and Skillshare offer thousands of distinct courses on all imaginable topics, from illustration journaling to plant care and people skills.

By providing users with a road-map to follow, and assigning homework, those who benefit from note-taking and discussion would be best met by this way of acquiring a skill online. Now go pick up some of those new skills.