Effective learning for adults. Discover key methods

Learning in adulthood is often an uneven battle against an overload ofstimuli and a lack of time. Despite this, with the right approach, it isentirely possible to acquire new knowledge effectively. So what methods areworth using in practice?

Why is learning in adulthood more difficult?

It is said that children ’absorb knowledge like sponges’ – this is true, but only in certain areas, such as foreign languages. But adults also have their advantages. Where strategy and multi-level thinking come into play, we acquire knowledge faster than at a young age. Nevertheless, for many adults, learning is a big challenge, for example due to lack of time, excess stimuli or stress.

There are many factors that negatively affect our ability to learn. Fortunately, there are also methods that can limit their impact. This is important because we operate in a knowledge-based economy, which means we need to constantly expand our skills. But first, we need to look at the most common causes of learning difficulties so that we can implement appropriate countermeasures.

Why does multitasking usually not help?

In adult life, we play different roles – as parents, employees or partners. As a result, we perform many tasks all at once. As a result, multitasking, or parallel action, actually turns into quickly ‘jumping’ from one task to another. This is not only tiring, but also ineffective.

This is because switching between tasks costs time and attention (the more tasks, the less focus). Added to this is the distraction generated by the environment. As a result, learning that is incorporated into such a multitasking pattern does not bring the expected results, takes longer, and is also prone to errors.

Another obstacle in the process of acquiring knowledge can be information overload. Considering how information-saturated the current digitalised world is, it is important to be careful that we do not become overstimulated. Added to this is stress, which not only reduces our ability to concentrate but can also have a negative impact on our memory.

What are slow learning and microlearning?

So what can make learning easier in adult life? One method is slow learning, which is the concept of learning at a slower pace. The quality of the learning process itself plays a key role. By not rushing, we gain space for reflection and conscious processing of the material we are learning. As a result, we assimilate the material at a more advanced level, noticing the relationships and connections between different pieces of knowledge. Thanks to this, slow learning brings better results in the long term, allowing us to effectively consolidate the knowledge we have acquired.

Another beneficial teaching method is microlearning. This is a method of learning that involves imparting knowledge in small units, e.g. in the form of 10-minute online lessons. This makes it relatively easy to incorporate them into your daily routine, both in your private and professional life. In the latter case, employees can acquire knowledge between performing their daily tasks.

Take care of the 4 pillars of effective learning

Regardless of the method, learning should be approached in a comprehensive manner. It is not only a matter of effectiveness, but also of being able to take real care of one's mental and physical well-being. Therefore, you should take care of the four pillars of learning, which are the mind, body, environment and emotions.

Pillar 1 – the mind

Active learning allows you to assimilate material in less time. To prepare the mind for learning, it is important to ensure a balanced diet, physical activity, quality sleep, inner peace and stress reduction. It is also important to remember to make time for regeneration, which can be helped by, for example, setting a specific time for learning (and not exceeding it). This will also help to consolidate and organise newly acquired knowledge.

Pillar 2 – the body

The mind is connected to the body, so it is important to take care of it properly. Diet and physical activity are key factors in this regard. Exercise helps reduce stress levels, improves cognitive function, increases concentration and speeds up the processing of acquired information. At the same time, it is important to remember about body regeneration, which allows you to maintain regular physical activity.

Pillar 3 – the environment

Playing many different roles, switching between numerous tasks and being bombarded by stimuli limits the ability to learn effectively. Therefore, it is important to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment that creates a space conducive to concentration. One of the easiest ways to do this is to limit distractions, e.g. by turning off notifications on your phone during study time.

Pillar 4 – the emotions

Positive emotions improve creativity and help increase motivation. Stress, in turn, disrupts inner peace and has a negative impact on well-being. In the context of learning, it causes distraction, hinders logical thinking and reduces memory capacity. That is why it is extremely helpful to learn basic stress management techniques and use relaxation techniques.

Prioritisation – why is it crucial in adult learning?

The limited resources we have at our disposal in adult life (time, attention, energy) make prioritisation one of the most important factors in the process of acquiring knowledge. It allows us to clearly define the main goal and focus on its achievement. In technical terms, setting priorities allows us to create a coherent and well-thought-out learning plan.

More importantly, prioritisation also plays a motivational role. Precisely defining the goal, along with changing the approach from ‘I want’ to ‘when/where/how,’ increases the chances of efficient and systematic implementation of the plan. This makes it an extremely useful tool for maintaining engagement in the process of effective knowledge acquisition.

A comprehensive approach, taking into account prioritisation and methods such as slow learning, is a good way to develop your own effective learning path. Sticking to these principles will improve your results and, in addition, increase your willingness to learn. Daily challenges require constant development, so it is worth ensuring that there are real opportunities to expand your knowledge so that you can make the most of the time you spend learning.  

References:

1. https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/126641/nihms964317.pdf
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12639695/
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5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20046194/
6. https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S2519-56702024000200004&script=sci_arttext
7. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01693.x
8. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2762
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