Learning is something we shouldn’t ever stop doing, but the truth is that sometimes the process can get a bit stale, especially if you end up getting stuck in a routine or you’re using outdated methods to help you get more information. The good news is that learning doesn’t actually have to feel like a chore, and with a bit of planning and creativity, it can even become enjoyable – and that’s the best way to learn overall. With that in mind, whether you want to encourage your kids to learn more or you want to improve yourself, here are some great ways to make learning better – read on to find out more.
Turn Lessons Into Games
The term ‘gamification’ might not be one you’ve come across all that often, but it isn’t too hard to get to grips with – it’s just what it sounds like, meaning it’s about turning something into a game. And if you can do that when it comes to lessons, those lessons can start to become really interesting and perhaps even irresistible, so you or your kids want to learn even when you don’t technically have to. It could be something as simple as turning math problems into a quiz (with prizes!), or something a bit more elaborate like creating a brand new board game to teach something like history or geography, for example.
Even digital games can have a lot of surprising benefits, and playing online solitaire, for example, can be a great way to sharpen problem-solving skills, improve focus, and boost your strategic thinking – plus, it can be a fantastic way to unwind after learning in a more traditional way, so it can help no matter what way you look at it. The point is, when you incorporate fun games like this into the day, you’re ‘sneakily’ building important skills without it ever feeling like hard work, and that’s the key to it all.
Create A Learning Playlist
You’ve probably noticed over time that music can make almost anything more enjoyable – and that includes learning. Of course, you don’t want to get distracted by the music, but it’s ideal to have it on quietly in the background to help you feel relaxed and happy, and make your learning environment a better one – and when you can do that, you’ll remember more and get more out of studying or the work you’re doing.
Since that’s the case, why not create a learning playlist? This is the perfect opportunity to make one that’s just right for your learning style, so it’s wise to do some research about what that is and what music might help. One thing that studies have shown to be true is that classical music can help with concentration and focus, but more upbeat pop tunes can help when it comes to group study sessions and brainstorming. Of course, you also have to actually like the music you’re listening to, otherwise it’s just going to be an annoying distraction, so that always has to be part of your decision about what to listen to as well. It could be worth experimenting with different genres and songs to see what gets you in the right mindset for learning.
Encourage Hands-On Projects
Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing, which is why hands-on projects give learners a chance to really engage with whatever material it is or lessons they’ve got – it’s a lot more meaningful when there’s a hands-on element, plus it’s usually fun and definitely memorable as well. This might be different for kids and adults (kids could have to create a model of the solar system or build a (simple!) robot, for example, whereas adults might do some DIY projects around the house to help them learn, like fixing something simple, doing some gardening, or redecorating), but the outcome will generally be the same, with the person in question actually learning a new skill or skills and enjoying the process at the same time.
The fact is that projects like these, whether they’re useful around the house or just made for learning, are fantastic for encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving, plus they’ll give people a chance to do their own research to work out what they need to do, and at the end, they’ll have a brilliant sense of accomplishment, and that’s really motivating, meaning they should go on to want to learn more and more and do more and more.
Mix Learning With Social Interaction
Humans are social creatures – even the most introverted of us will benefit from being around others at least once in a while, and some people really bloom and thrive when they’re in social situations – and since learning is often something that sticks a lot better when it’s come in a group, it’s a great idea to mix learning and social interaction when you can (and when you feel as though you’ve got the energy to do it, otherwise you might not end up learning anything at all).
The way in which this could work include setting up a book club, hosting discussion groups, or having brainstorming sessions where the people there can share their ideas and give you some interesting new perspectives on things – plus, it’s the ideal opportunity for you to give your own opinions, which is also worthwhile, especially if they spark a good debate or discussion.
Make It Visual
There’s some debate these days about whether there are really different learning styles or not, but it does seem as though some people prefer to learn in one way and others prefer to do it differently, so whatever the science says, if you find you learn more when things are more visual, then that’s definitely the right move to make.
What do we mean when we say ‘visual’? We mean things like charts, infographics, videos, and so on – things that you can essentially look at and see the things you’re trying to learn in a simplified way, which makes them a lot easier to remember.
Once you’ve got to grips with that kind of visual learning, what about making your own visual aids (or encouraging your kids to do it, if they’re the ones who need some help with their learning)? If you’re the one actually sketching out ideas, creating mind maps, building models, or perhaps making videos, it’s sure to help you get that information into your head and keep it there, and you’ll also be having a good time being creative, so this idea actually ticks a lot of boxes.
Incorporate Movement
We should all know by now how important it is to move around regularly during the day, not just to get some exercise (although that’s obviously very important), but to give you a chance to take a break from what you’re doing and rest your brain a bit (studies have shown that it actually makes you more productive when you take breaks, even if it also means you’re technically spending less time on your work or studies).
With that as an idea, it does make a lot of sense to try to incorporate movement into your learning because it’s good for your body and your mind, and if it also happens to help you remember things at the same time, that’s ideal. For kids, this kind of learning might mean learning times tables by playing hopscotch, or perhaps acting out scenes from a book to help understand what it really means. For adults, you could try walking meetings (you literally have your meeting outside in a park, for example, and walk around while you talk), yoga sessions that help you be more mindful, or physical challenges that help you get better at problem-solving, for example. The point is that movement engages the body and the mind, and it keeps your energy levels high, so learning feels less like a chore and more like a fun experience.
