How I Approach Structured Learning After School: Incorporating NFTs and New Technologies

How I Approach Structured Learning After School: Incorporating NFTs and New Technologies

Structured learning is different from unstructured learning, primarily due to intentionality. In high school, the learning path is often clear, whether it involves higher education, a gap year, or an apprenticeship. However, after school, structured learning becomes more challenging to navigate. As someone who values continuous learning, I have developed a three-phase approach to structured learning.

The first phase is discovery, which involves actively seeking new ideas and information. This can be done by keeping my eyes wide open as I walk through life, taking cues from work, hobbies, consumed media, or literature. By doing so, I generate a backlog of topic areas that I can delve into, each tied to a specific objective. This approach allows me to identify where and how I can realize the value if I choose to spend time learning a particular topic.

The second phase is sense-making, triggered by selecting a topic from my discovery list and deciding to research and delve deeper into it. To document this phase, I create artifacts on my public channels, such as tweets, threads on Twitter, or articles on my blog. By making my learning journey public, I aim to encourage similar behavior in others. Additionally, I believe that leaving breadcrumbs of knowledge on the internet can provide value to others long after I have moved on from a particular topic area.

To ensure I don't lose valuable content I come across, I use Glasp to annotate and organize compelling written pieces. This way, I can easily access and reference them in the future. The public record of the internet also serves as a strong accountability incentive, pushing me to continue learning and documenting my progress.

Now, let's shift gears and explore the exciting world of NFTs. Non-fungible tokens have been making waves, and I recently had the privilege of attending the first dinner in Slovenia using NFTs as tickets. The verification of these NFT tickets was made possible through Rarepass, a solution developed by a community member. Dinner ticket holders simply downloaded the app, which recognized all the NFTs in their wallets. It was an innovative way to combine technology and hospitality.

During the dinner, we refrained from taking a group photo to respect the privacy of our guests. As two of the attendees were lawyers, we didn't want to risk any GDPR violations. However, we did have a cameraman documenting the experience, and the video will be shared with the ticket holders soon. This dinner marks an important step in exploring the opportunities that NFTs bring to the hospitality industry. In fact, the chef even incorporated the design of the NFT into the dishes, creating a truly immersive experience.

Combining these two topics, structured learning and NFTs, may seem unlikely at first. However, by embracing new technologies like NFTs, we can enhance the way we approach and document our learning journeys. Just as NFTs provide a unique digital record of ownership, we can use the public record of the internet to leave behind valuable knowledge for others.

Before concluding, here are three actionable pieces of advice for those looking to incorporate structured learning and new technologies into their lives:

• 1. Embrace discovery: Actively seek new ideas and information by keeping your eyes open and taking cues from various aspects of your life. This will help you generate a backlog of topics to explore further.

• 2. Make your learning journey public: Document your progress and insights on public channels such as social media or a personal blog. By doing so, you not only hold yourself accountable but also provide value to others who may come across your work.

• 3. Embrace new technologies: Explore how emerging technologies like NFTs can enhance your learning experience. Whether it's using innovative solutions for verification or incorporating digital elements into physical experiences, embracing new technologies can open up new possibilities.

In conclusion, structured learning after school may seem challenging, but by adopting a deliberate approach and incorporating new technologies, we can continue to grow and expand our knowledge. By embracing discovery, making our learning journeys public, and embracing new technologies like NFTs, we can create a more immersive and valuable learning experience for ourselves and others. So, let's continue to walk through life with our eyes wide open and leave behind breadcrumbs of knowledge for future learners to follow.