With technology evolving faster every year, it’s clear that adults need to embrace lifelong learning just to be able to keep up with progress. But that’s not the only incentive to welcome continuous education throughout life. Adults who have gone beyond the college years may find that they need to keep learning new skills, not just because they enjoy the challenge, but because the world is changing so rapidly right now — and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Post-Pandemic Education
Classroom education at all levels, from kindergarten to adult learning, took a hit when the pandemic struck. Kids were suddenly at school via Zoom and other services not specifically designed to support educational needs. Never has it been clearer that distance learning is not only useful but absolutely essential for anyone who wants to continue learning in a post-pandemic world. Cramming students into a classroom just isn’t as practical as it once seemed. Adults who’ve embraced lifelong learning can use distance learning Edtech tools to work at their own pace, fill in any gaps in their education caused by the pandemic, and focus on the skills and subjects that really matter to them.
Starting Early Sets Learners Up for Life
Although we talk about lifelong learning in terms of adults embracing tools like Edtech for safe, distance learning, it’s actually vital that we sow the seeds for lifelong learning early in life. That’s because, according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), nurturing a passion for learning in our early years leads to a better chance of retaining that passion throughout life. This creates a positive lifelong learning attitude, or LLLA. This helps learners embrace on-the-job training, informal learning around vocational skills, or simply subjects they’re passionate about and enjoy on a purely personal level. A great LLLA encourages cooperation and collaboration, encouraging open minds and a growth mindset ideally suited to exploring different points of view. In our rapidly growing society, these skills will be needed more than ever as we move into the future.
Lifelong Learning Creates Companies with Longevity
Sadly, the pandemic demonstrated that some businesses were more at risk than others. Many businesses closed permanently in 2020, including one-third of small businesses, with many more struggling to regroup in 2021. It’s clear that businesses that survived have to look at how they can be more resilient to future emergencies and how they can retain experienced employees who are suddenly much more in demand.
Edtech distance learning courses allow employees to focus on nurturing skills they may have let slide or never had the chance to expand upon previously. Employers that encourage members of staff to keep learning while in the workplace end up with better morale and improved turnover, while ensuring they have employees better able to deal with the unexpected. Utilizing e-learning instead of relying on classroom training ensures companies are prepared for sudden change or even disaster — and are much more likely to continue providing the right learning and development opportunities to their employees regardless of what’s happening in the world.
As the world evolves and changes, there will always be something new to learn and skills that weren’t relevant yesterday that are suddenly essential tomorrow. Lifelong learning powered by Edtech ensures that people have the know-how, confidence, and resilience to see these changes as opportunities rather than setbacks.
