There is no denying that the digital age is well and truly upon us, and with it comes a whole host of exciting and revolutionary ways for us to live our lives. One of the most beneficial developments the digital age is having on the education sector is the expansion of ‘self-paced learning’. What is ‘self-paced learning’, I hear you ask? Well, the phrase does exactly what it says on the tin. It is essentially where students can decide on the pace and timing of their learning experience. These learning experiences are often fully automated and supplied via an online e-learning platform or website.
Does It Actually Work?
Believe it or not, self-paced learning has proven to be very beneficial for students. In fact, research has even found that e-learning increases learning retention rates by 25% to 60%. This is a stark contrast to the learning retention rates when students are taught face to face, which was only 8% to 10%. So, with self-paced learning, students have more control over the whole learning process and more flexibility, which gives you the freedom to balance your education with employment and family life. By having the opportunity to complete your coursework at a pace that is right for you while building skills step–by step, you give yourself the very best chance of success.
It Is Not Scary, Promise!
The prospect of online learning can be scary for some people, especially if you are not well versed in technology and computers. However, the benefits of working at times that suit you are far greater than having to learn on a rigid schedule. At Pitman, we ensure our self-paced learning courses involve a learning coach, which provides students access to useful feedback and support whenever and wherever you choose to learn.
Self-Paced Learning Suits Your Busy Schedule, but How?
Self-paced learning is perfect for anyone with a busy work schedule or hectic family life. It allows you to fit your learning in pockets of the day that suit you. Learning at your own pace can mean a lot more than just being able to study at night or after work.
When learning in the classroom, it is not uncommon for some individuals to become lost and disillusioned with the course. By learning at your own pace, you can determine how long your course will take you to complete. So, if you find everything easy, you can work through the course quickly. If you are struggling, then you can take your time. The choice is yours. With self-paced training, you can also work it into your schedule wherever it works best. For example, self-paced learning is also ideal if you are looking to take a couple of weeks off because you can put your course on the back-burner and return to it when you are ready.
- Fewer distractions
A self-paced course allows students to focus in an environment and at a time that suits them best. For example, if you are taking a course to boost your skills for work, then you can sit in the office and pick a time in the day when you will have the fewest interruptions from colleagues or other tasks. If you are a full-time parent, you can sit down with a coffee for a couple of hours when the kids are at school or asleep. Of course, it takes a lot of self-discipline to do this, and you will need to tune out distractions at home and ignore your phone, but the benefits of achieving a diploma will make it all worthwhile. - Suits different learning styles
There is no denying that people have different learning styles. Some people are more visual, some people like to hear things out loud, some people prefer to read information and others are kinaesthetic learners (more hands-on). Learning at your own pace allows you to learn in a way that suits you, in a comfortable environment. Self-paced learning also gives people who prefer to complete the material quickly the opportunity to do so. - Less pressure equals more retention
Self-paced learning removes the time pressure that exists during live training. There is no pressure to complete the assignments and learn at the same speed as others. No one needs to pretend that they understood something that they did not. Instead, they can review the material on their own. Self-pacing can improve memory performance, particularly when the learner allocates more time to the material they personally find more complex. Also, if you are someone who prefers reinforcing your learning by looking at something over and over, then self-paced learning is perfect for you. It is often the case that if you learn something and you do not have the opportunity to practise, eventually you are going to lose it. So, reinforcing your learning by reusing your learning materials is a great way to help you retain information.
Why Not Get in Touch?
At Pitman, our courses allow you to train anytime, full time or part time. We do not have rigid course timetables with fixed terms, which means training can fit around your work and home lives. Not only do we offer a self-study programme that allows you to learn at your own pace, but we also provide support and encouragement from our friendly learning coaches, so you are never alone on your learning journey. So, why not contact your local Pitman Training provider to develop your skills today?
