The statement “what is quick learning and how to prepare a road map to be a quick learner” is very relevant in modern times. It facilitates excellence in learning and helps to succeed in life.
Learning has been defined as the knowledge that you get from studying. It may also be defined as the process of making a new knowledge/skill, an intrinsic part of your personality by conscious effort through studies, and executing the same by actual practices. The learning may also occur unconsciously, while experiencing some event or any facet of life.
Definition of ' quick learning'
As per Wikipedia, learning is the process of acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviours, skills, values or preferences. Some learning is immediately induced by a single event, like learning after burning your fingers. However, skill and knowledge accumulate from repeated experiences.
As per Wikihow.com, quick learning depends on quick comprehension and breaking down an event into small, easily digestible chunks.
It may be noted here that each individual is different from the other in personality, traits and speed of learning. Some may learn things quickly, while others may take time to learn.
But anyone can develop and improve their learning capability through a well laid-out strategy.
As per linkedin.com, for being a fast learner, it is absolutely essential to be a good listener.
Such a quality helps in better team building also.
Careerbuilder.com defines the quick or fast learner as the one,who is able to grasp a new concept quickly and efficiently. Such persons process and apply the concept in an expeditious manner to complete a work.
As per medium.com, fast learning capability may be developed by changing one’s habits.If you scan the literature on fast learning, you will find that it is simply enormous. However, our effort should be to provide a concise brief guide to be a quick learner.
1.Preparation of a leaning road map
Preparing or deciding a learning map is the first step towards quick learning.However,asking three questions to yourself “Why”, ”What” and “How” is very pertinent,as their answers may help to decide the road map of learning.
2.Why do you want to learn?
Before preparing the learning map, you must be clear whether the learning is for intrinsic purposes or for building up skills to enhance career.For example, if one wants to learn Sanskrit, so that they may unlock the knowledge of ancient Hindu scriptures,it may come under category of intrinsic purposes, especially if this is not the regular job being done by them.
But, if one wants to learn leadership skills, to go up the ladder, this is non-intrinsic and may be termed as need-based learning. Some experts call the second one as Instrumental Learning also.
In both the cases, making short and long term goals are very important. In nutshell, freezing goal is very important, along with clear cut milestones, for preparing a road map for quick learning.
However , before starting the process, it is essential to know the opinion of experts or people of that area by resorting to communication with them, through interviews, emails or correspondences. This is essential in both the “intrinsic” or “instrumental” projects.
In the “instrumental” project, the expert may point out some other skill, which may be beneficial for enhancing the career, in lieu of the one, being considered by you. In the intrinsic project also, one needs to consult an expert to save time and money, especially if you want to do it through an educational institution. In that case, the curriculum, time frame of the institute should be in coherence with the learning plan of the individual, along with time and money aspects.
3.What do you want to learn?
What refers to the knowledge and abilities one will need to acquire in order to be successful. The first step to do this is to start looking at how the knowledge in the subject concerned is structured.
A good way to do this is to write on a sheet of paper, the things to learn, under 3 categories: Concepts, Facts and Procedures. Concepts are the things which needs be understood. Facts are the things, that needs be memorized. Procedures are anything which needs be practised.
This may be better explained by example of Sanskrit learning. Concept is grammar which one should understand. The form of words may be termed as facts, which needs to be memorized. Combining grammar and words to make sentences comes under procedure,and this needs practice.
After having finished the above exercise, the next task is to identify the most challenging aspects, which may prove to be a bottleneck. Then how to overcome the bottleneck should be the next step, if you want to be a quick learner.
4.How do you want to learn?
How refers to the resources,environment and methods,which will be used while learning.In brief it entails “How are you going to learn it?”
For this,two methods have been suggested:
- Benchmarking methods
- Emphasis/exclusion methods
In benchmarking method, one learns the subject by adopting the common ways in which people learn the skill.
Emphasis / exclusion method involves first finding of areas of study that align with the most urgent goals. For example, if one is learning “French” before going to Paris, pronunciation should be the first priority, rather than spellings and grammar, etc.
People do the jobs first, which are conveniently done and are comfortable. This will lead you to nowhere.
5. Preparation of short term and long term goals and their vetting with learning road map
Based on the answer to the three questions enunciated above, the quick learner should prepare a road map of learning and vet it with their short and long term goals.
One of the most common mistakes committed by quick learning aspirants is that they start learning with whatever method is available to them, without going into details of expected outcomes, or an analysis of the fact, whether their goal may be realized or not.
In such a situation, making of road map of learning must include the following also.
- Enunciation of the clear cut objectives of learning
- Framing of SMART(Specific, Measurable, Realistic and Time bound)goals
- Activity schedule or milestones related to these goals
- A mechanism for self monitoring of the above
A carefully prepared road map, based on the analysis, may definitely help you to be a quick learner.
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