A Guide to Curation in Community: Learning How to Learn

A Guide to Curation in Community: Learning How to Learn

Curating content within a community is not just about creating a resource for members to access. It is an exercise that holds immense value for both the community builder and its members. While members benefit from quick access to trusted and vetted information, community builders gain valuable insights about the community they serve.

When we curate, we are forced to process what our members are sharing. This process allows us to understand the community on a deeper level. As we curate, new ideas often pop up and spread, providing an opportunity for us to continuously learn and pass on valuable information to our community.

However, it is important to remember that community curation is for the community builder first and the members second. Before saving anything, we must question its value. We need to ask ourselves if it is worth saving and if it holds enough value to be shared with the community. It is crucial to avoid saving everything, as that diminishes the significance of each curated item. The power of curation lies in our ability to connect the dots and provide a cohesive repository of valuable information.

Curation is not limited to community settings. It can be beneficial for anyone in a business. The ability to connect the dots and curate relevant information can empower every employee in a company, fostering a culture of learning and growth.

Now, let's shift our focus to the topic of learning itself. Understanding how our brain works is essential in optimizing our learning process. Our brain has two modes: focused and diffused. The focused mode requires sustained attention on a specific task, while the diffused mode allows our mind to wander and make new connections on its own. This is why many of us experience "shower thoughts" or sudden insights while relaxing in the shower. Additionally, sleep plays a crucial role in solidifying new connections and clearing out toxins that build up during the day.

One common belief in learning is the idea of learning styles. Learning styles refer to the preference or predisposition of an individual to perceive and process information in a particular way. However, recent research suggests that there is little evidence to support the idea that aligning teaching styles with learning styles leads to better learning outcomes. Instead, what matters most is using learning strategies that maximize recall. Techniques such as spacing out study sessions over time, testing oneself on the material, and experiencing the content in multiple ways to make meaningful connections have been scientifically proven to enhance learning.

Lastly, when it comes to learning, the key is to just do it. Falling in love with the process of learning is crucial. Setting a timer, focusing solely on studying the topic at hand, and embracing the Pomodoro technique can help improve focus and productivity. Learning is not a project with a defined beginning, middle, and end. It is an ongoing process that requires trust and dedication.

In conclusion, curating content in a community holds value not only for the members but also for the community builder. The act of curation allows us to learn and understand the community we serve. Learning itself is a dynamic process that involves understanding how our brain works, letting our mind wander, embracing science-backed learning strategies, and falling in love with the process.

Actionable advice:

1. Prioritize value: Before saving or sharing anything, ask yourself if it is truly valuable and worth curating. Avoid saving everything, as it diminishes the significance of each curated item.
2. Embrace diverse learning strategies: Instead of focusing on learning styles, focus on techniques that maximize recall. Space out study sessions, test yourself on the material, and engage with the content in multiple ways to make meaningful connections.
3. Trust the process: Learning is a continuous journey. Embrace the process, set dedicated study sessions using techniques like the Pomodoro technique, and fall in love with the process of learning itself. Trust that by doing so, you will go from good to great in your learning endeavors.