Wikipedia defines the term "Learning" as:
"Learning is the acquisition and development of memories and behaviors, including skills, knowledge, understanding, values, and wisdom. It is the goal of education, and the product of experience."
So, it is a process of acquiring knowledge and using it. For most of us, in the first some years of our lives, at least, we might not have taken that word as seriously as we do now. Mainly in school days, we learned, got good positions in schools; but, I guess, those were merely to hold the expectation of our lovely parents or for the panic of being punished by our teachers. Well, the point is, we never understood the practical application of the word "Learning". But, this is a continuous process, resulting in amazing discoveries and startling ideas; supported existence and accomplishment; ultimately, connecting us to life!. More of learning arise from experience and we get experience from learning. We are still learning and have to learn a lot as "Life is a great teacher".
Being said that, now the question is "Why is that important to learn continuously ?" Change is the only constant. When things change, we need to adapt to the changing circumstances to survive and grow. And, to adapt to changing circumstances, we need to learn! Since "change" is inevitable, there is no point of talking "not learning". Henry Ford said, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young".
Learning can be broadly divided into 2 categories: Informal and Formal. Informal learning is learning things in our day-to-day situations (if we don't look in front of us while walking, we learn that we run into things and that might be dangerous). It's what daily life practices teach us. It is learning from life, during a meal at table with parents, Play (activity), exploring. Formal learning is learning that takes place within a teacher-student relationship, such as in a school system. Now, there could be combined approaches that uses both the formal and informal ways.
Now, the question is, given a lot of things to learn, What should I learn and How? The simplest answer to this is "Learn your passion". If you have discovered your passion, you are on the way of learning. We go, wherever our passion leads. To ensure that we learn continuously, we need to be involved in obvious activities like reading, interaction, reflection and documentation. Getting food for thought is now an easy task with high-quality books, the Internet and search engines like Google, Wikipedia. Interaction & networking are now inescapable if we want to gain knowledge. Interaction also has the potential to shake us out of our shells and follow new thoughts and ideas provided we have the attitude - that of letting in opposing views and innovative ideas and being open to voices that challenge. Teaching is considered as one of the best ways to learn as it exposes one to innumerable questions and compels us to be extremely sure of what we know. Finally, reflection, introspection and documentation help us learn. They help us draw upon our intuition and creative abilities, question ourselves, and analyze/consolidate our thoughts. After all, answers also come from within our mental and spiritual resources. Keeping a book of ideas & thoughts, writing and blogging are great ways to call upon these resources.
Benjamin Franklin has truly said "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ...
Being said that, now the question is "Why is that important to learn continuously ?" Change is the only constant. When things change, we need to adapt to the changing circumstances to survive and grow. And, to adapt to changing circumstances, we need to learn! Since "change" is inevitable, there is no point of talking "not learning". Henry Ford said, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young".
Learning can be broadly divided into 2 categories: Informal and Formal. Informal learning is learning things in our day-to-day situations (if we don't look in front of us while walking, we learn that we run into things and that might be dangerous). It's what daily life practices teach us. It is learning from life, during a meal at table with parents, Play (activity), exploring. Formal learning is learning that takes place within a teacher-student relationship, such as in a school system. Now, there could be combined approaches that uses both the formal and informal ways.
Now, the question is, given a lot of things to learn, What should I learn and How? The simplest answer to this is "Learn your passion". If you have discovered your passion, you are on the way of learning. We go, wherever our passion leads. To ensure that we learn continuously, we need to be involved in obvious activities like reading, interaction, reflection and documentation. Getting food for thought is now an easy task with high-quality books, the Internet and search engines like Google, Wikipedia. Interaction & networking are now inescapable if we want to gain knowledge. Interaction also has the potential to shake us out of our shells and follow new thoughts and ideas provided we have the attitude - that of letting in opposing views and innovative ideas and being open to voices that challenge. Teaching is considered as one of the best ways to learn as it exposes one to innumerable questions and compels us to be extremely sure of what we know. Finally, reflection, introspection and documentation help us learn. They help us draw upon our intuition and creative abilities, question ourselves, and analyze/consolidate our thoughts. After all, answers also come from within our mental and spiritual resources. Keeping a book of ideas & thoughts, writing and blogging are great ways to call upon these resources.
Benjamin Franklin has truly said "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ...
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