How I Approach Structured Learning After School: The Importance of Content Distribution

How I Approach Structured Learning After School: The Importance of Content Distribution

In today's world, the difference between structured and unstructured learning lies in intentionality. Structured learning follows a predetermined path with specific objectives, while unstructured learning occurs more naturally without explicit direction. As someone who values structured learning, I believe it can be broken down into three distinct phases: discovery, sense-making, and experimentation.

The discovery phase is all about exploring new ideas and topics. It involves actively seeking out information and resources to expand our knowledge. During this phase, I maintain a "list" of topics that interest me and that I want to dive deeper into. Once I identify a topic from this list, I make the conscious decision to research and explore it further.

To aid in the sense-making phase, I create visual knowledge maps on platforms like Heptabase. These maps help me organize and connect the information I've discovered, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand. For example, I might create a knowledge map for key consulting skills, highlighting the different aspects and how they interrelate.

Furthermore, I keep track of all the major sources of literature I consume. This includes books, articles, and written content that I find valuable. Platforms like Goodreads and Glasp serve as repositories for these sources, allowing me to easily refer back to them and stay organized.

However, one challenge I face in post-school learning is the absence of formal structure and external motivation. In school, we had exams and the promise of university or job opportunities to keep us motivated. To combat this, I have found that intentionally sharing my learning and progress in public spaces is a powerful motivator. By documenting and sharing my journey online, I create a sense of accountability and external pressure to continue learning and growing.

In this regard, content distribution plays a crucial role. As the saying goes, "content is king," but in today's saturated online space, even the best content can get lost in the noise. We need to go beyond creating content and focus on effectively distributing it to reach our intended audience.

Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, once stated that we now create as much information every two days as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003. With such an overwhelming amount of content being produced, simply creating quality content is no longer enough. We must put in the effort to distribute it strategically.

Content distribution involves finding the best position to stand in and be overheard. It requires us to identify what piques people's interest and tailor our distribution strategies accordingly. Whether it's through social media, email newsletters, or collaborations with other content creators, we must actively seek out avenues to break through the noise and reach our target audience.

To effectively distribute content, we must adopt a hustle mentality. We need to put in the time and effort to get our content in front of the right people. This might involve promoting our work on various platforms, engaging with our audience, and constantly seeking new opportunities to share our knowledge and insights.

In conclusion, structured learning and content distribution are two interconnected concepts that can greatly enhance our educational journey. By approaching learning with intentionality and leveraging the power of content distribution, we can overcome the challenges of post-school learning and continue to grow and expand our knowledge.

Actionable Advice:

1. Create a visual knowledge map for topics you want to explore further. This will help you organize and connect the information you discover, facilitating better understanding.
2. Utilize platforms like Goodreads and Glasp to keep track of the literature and sources you consume. This will make it easier to refer back to valuable content and stay organized.
3. Embrace content distribution as a crucial part of your learning journey. Actively seek out opportunities to share your knowledge and insights, and put in the effort to reach your target audience.