Our WabiSabi Life

Living a Perfectly Imperfect Life

4 Ways to Spruce Up Your Knowledge With the Click of Your Mouse

By 29 Comments

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The internet has provided us with an infinite amount of online information; be it news, pictures, music, videos or informative articles. For many of us, the internet is a prime source of distraction and procrastination from the many tasks most of us have to deal with on a daily basis, be it at work or at home. Of course all that contagious clicking can be very entertaining, but are we really using the internet to its full potential given the potential for online learning opportunities? Below are a few tips on how to utilize the internet as best you can and enlighten that noggin of yours.

 

Online Courses

Let’s start off with the obvious one. Yes you may have to pay for it but in terms of professional and comprehensive learning you’ll be amazed at what you can find with the click of a button. Of course there are courses designed to brush up your language learning, even to the study of the philosophy of The Simpsons, but many of these courses can also further your career and bolster your CV. For example, you can enroll on counselling courses to get yourself ahead of the game in your field. The same rule applies for almost any professional arena whether you’re a foreign language instructor or a social media executive.

 

YouTube

Obvious much? Possibly so, but YouTube has evolved remarkably from a place where people posted funny videos of old ladies falling down holes to a gargantuan hub of information, opinions, entertainment and of course, learning. Thousands of kind souls have posted free tuition videos online that cover almost any topic ranging from learning guitar to making a perfect cup of tea. Simply type in “how to” & whatever you’re interested in and you’re off! One of the best things about YouTube is that you can subscribe to channels and receive notifications direct to your inbox whenever your user of choice uploads a video related to your desired field of interest.

 

Pay Daily Visits to Wikipedia’s “On This Day”

It would perhaps be a disservice to the web not to mention Jimmy Wales’ montage of (albeit occasionally disputed) information covering almost any topic. There is the opportunity to delve further into what Wikipedia offers, though that would be far too easy. On its homepage lies a small section entitled “On This Day” where you can learn historical facts ranging from the enlightening to the bizarre. If you’re philosophy is “every day’s a school day”, then look no further. Often the guys at Wikipedia will concoct a mixture of useful and amusing facts and information, and let’s face it; we learn much more efficiently when we’re having fun.

 

Learn How to Use a Computer Program

With the settling in of the age of information comes the availability and accessibility of technology, meaning that various computer programs, technical skills and virtual expertise are no longer exclusive to the realms of scientists and computer bods locked up in basements of various companies across the world. As the saying “everyone’s a critic” goes, the same paradigm “everyone’s an expert” can now be applied. Mastering a computer program through online means is now as easy as pie, and with these previously difficult-to-master applications now becoming easier and easier for the general public to use, programs such as Photoshop, Excel or PowerPoint can be at your mercy in no time. Not only can you find various free guides and walk-through on how to master these programs by searching on Google, but once again, YouTube provides an excellent source for this.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Jessica

    YouTube has been my go-to knowledge portal for years now. It’s where I learned how to apply my eyeliner-no joke! I used to be obsessed with YouTube makeup gurus and in high school I couldn’t get enough. These days you can find anything and everything on there. I love that it is so vast!

    Reply

  6. Amy Desrosiers

    I depend on the internet to blog, but I think it is also a huge distraction at times. I think it could be a good/bad place depending on someone’s intentions.

    Reply

  7. Kecia

    I have been thinking about taking some online classes to possibly get a degree in marketing and/or social media. I love that we have the world at our fingertips these days, thanks to the internet!

    Reply

  8. Demetra

    I love YouTube for how to videos on makeup and hair. It’s also a great place to find demonstrations of cooking techniques. I’ll have to try the Wikipedia “on this day” I haven’t used that before, THANKS!

    Reply

  14. Mickey Coutts

    Great ideas! I don’t ever seem to have time to just surf and learn like I used to, but these are always great resources when I need information for my work too. Thanks!

    Reply

  18. Susanna Barbee (Zealous Mom)

    Very interesting! You Tube is so helpful. I used it the other day to learn how to use a neti pot. It was extremely helpful. I also teach a course online, so I am all about the online world.

    Reply

  19. Janeane Davis

    One of the best things about technology is that we can learn all we want There is a lot we can learn right at home

    Reply

  25. Brandy

    I love all of these suggestions. It’s easy to get caught in not using our brains daily. I love ideas of increasing our knowledge using the Internet. I want to take some classes online to further my blogging skills.

    Reply

  27. Ashley

    Have you ever heard of MOOC? They’re Mass Open Online Courses and many can be taken for free! Some of them even count towards college credit.

    Reply

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