Make good use of AI tools to master adults’ learning methods
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This article is written by Zheng Weiquan and was originally published in “Technice Island”
Because I often assist in talent training in universities and industries, in addition to hanging out with young people, I also have the opportunity to come into contact with a group of middle-aged and middle-aged friends. When talking to them, you can often hear statements like this: “Oh, if I could go back to when I was young, I really want to study hard…”
Some friends did not study seriously during college because they were busy dating or indulged in club activities. Now, they feel regretful and realize that if they had studied more seriously, their lives might have been different…
By the way, what does “if I could go back to my youth” mean? Why do many people give up studying even when they are not even 40 years old? Some people have just turned 50 and start thinking about issues such as early retirement. According to a survey by the Ministry of Interior, the average life span of Chinese people is 80.86 years old, so even if you are over 70 years old, you are actually still very young in today’s society!
I’m a little confused, why do some people feel that “even if they study hard now, there is nothing they can do in life”? It is said that “live until you are old and learn until you are old”. In fact, learning is not something that should be done at a specific stage, but should continue from birth to death.
If you feel that you do not have time, resources or other advantages compared to younger generations, I think that in addition to a lack of self-confidence and motivation, the big reason is because you do not know “adults’ learning methods.”
The so-called “[Learning Methods for Adults](https://www.books.com.tw/exep/assp.php/vista/products/0010968365?utm_source=vista&utm_med ium=ap-books&utm_content=recommend&utm_campaign=ap-202402)”, you can also regard it as “adult learning”, which has its own unique theoretical framework in education and involves several keys to success:
- Self-directed: Adults have rational thinking and usually have more control and self-determination over their own learning. They will choose important learning goals and use them to drive their learning process, and are more likely to find and choose learning resources and methods that suit them.
- Practical application: Adults’ motivation for learning often comes from their actual needs, such as improving work skills, enhancing career development, or solving practical problems. Therefore, adult learning methods emphasize the importance of practical application and practical experience.
- Experience and reflection: Adult learners have rich life and work experiences, which can become important resources for their learning. They reflect on their own experiences to understand and respond to new situations or problems.
These keys to success are slightly different from the learning patterns of college students. The learning of students in general colleges and universities usually relies more on the guidance of teachers and the school’s curriculum structure. They may not have enough experience and knowledge to lead their own learning. Learning in the classroom also places more emphasis on the accumulation of knowledge and theoretical understanding than on practical application. However, as this group of college students graduate and leave campus and enter the workplace, the growth and development of many begin to stagnate, and some even stop studying because they are busy with work or family!
This is actually a pity, especially in today’s era of information explosion. There are many convenient technologies and AI tools that make it easy for us to obtain all kinds of knowledge and information. You know, even if we leave the academic hall, everyone can still learn by themselves through the Internet or other methods.
For example, online learning platforms can provide rich and diverse learning resources, allowing adult learners to choose and arrange their own learning content and pace. The teaching recommendation system with built-in AI function can recommend corresponding learning resources and paths based on learners’ interests and needs. Taking language learning application software or task management tools as an example, they can help learners arrange and manage learning tasks according to their actual situation, and transform learning results into actual abilities.
Having said that, learning should not be limited. We should not let learning be trapped by age, nor should it become an intense race to catch up with technology. Learning is a joyful process, and it is also a way for us to contact the world and dialogue with ourselves.
When it comes to “adult learning methods,” the first key is to establish self-motivation. Generally speaking, adults already have enough social experience to know what they want and what they are good at. This kind of self-motivation not only helps us maintain our motivation for learning, but also allows us to better select appropriate learning resources and tools.
For example, AI tools headed by ChatGPT are actually a very good learning resource. In addition to providing a large amount of information, it can also talk to us and customize the information according to our needs. Of course, not all information is suitable for us. We also need to use critical thinking to identify the value of information according to our own learning goals.
Furthermore, we can use AI tools to create our own learning environment. This environment includes not only human-to-human communication, but also our conversations with AI tools. Through dialogue with AI tools, it can help us determine the direction and progress of learning and get immediate feedback.
Finally, we can also make good use of AI tools to establish learning habits. Learning is a long-term investment and requires continuous dedication. In addition to common AI tools, everyone can also make good use of some learning management software, which can help us create learning plans and remind ourselves to act according to the plan.
For friends who are interested in self-study, I recommend the following ways to use AI tools:
- Learn new skills or expertise: Online learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide variety of courses covering many fields, whether it is business, science, engineering, literature, etc. No matter what field you are interested in, you can find corresponding courses on these platforms. And some courses are equipped with teaching assistants who can provide immediate feedback on your learning progress and understanding.
- Establish a habit of continuous learning: Use task management tools such as Todoist or Notion to truly integrate study time into daily life. Through these digital tools, you can set reminders and continuously track your learning progress, helping you establish and maintain learning habits.
- Utilize language learning apps: We live in a global village, and if you want to communicate with more people, you need to learn a new foreign language. At this time, you can try language learning apps such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone (such as Shitong). These tools use AI technology to adjust teaching content and strategies based on your learning progress and understanding, helping to optimize your learning efficiency.
- Expand your horizons and perspectives: It is said that “opening a book is beneficial.” To read some good books or interesting articles, you can use digital tools such as Goodreads or Pocket. These software can recommend reading materials that are suitable for you based on your reading preferences and history.
The progress of information technology can be said to be “a thousand miles forward”. Through various convenient AI tools, we can help us learn more efficiently, master new knowledge, and improve ourselves. It is recommended that everyone should seize this opportunity, establish the habit of continuous learning, unleash our potential abilities, and prepare for the challenges in the next stage of life.
We need to realize that technology has changed the way and pace of learning. After breaking away from the identity of students, everyone no longer relies on physical classrooms or fixed time to study. We can learn what we want to learn anywhere, at any time. As long as we remember to make good use of various AI tools, they will provide us with a more personalized and self-directed learning experience.
Learning regardless of age, the threshold for learning is lower than ever before. Only by maintaining continuous learning can we remain competitive in this rapidly changing world. Now is the time to pick up your passion for learning and start a new chapter in your life.
Having said that, whether you are learning writing, marketing or any professional knowledge, it is never too late to start. If you are still unfamiliar with “adult learning methods” or feel you have some troubles or bottlenecks, please feel free to [chat with me] (mailto:iamvista@gmail.com)!
★ Want to improve yourself in the new year? Welcome to join “Vista Book Club”!
★ Want to embrace the AI era? Welcome to read “[ChatGPT Questioning Course, Become an Efficient Worker Who Understands AI] (https://vista.im/ai-book)”!
★ To comprehensively improve your writing skills, welcome to sign up for the “Vista Writing Companion Program”.
Further reading
- Embracing the AI era: Facing future opportunities and challenges with an open mind
- The first issue of “Seven-day Lightning AI Camp”: Starting from scratch, you can become an AI expert in one week
- Learn to ask questions about projects, dance with AI
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