Why learn by doing problems when working remotely
Have you ever noticed that the best way to learn something is not to read about it or watch a video, but actually doing it? This is the idea behind the 70-20-10 model (L&D) of learning and development. According to this model, 70% of our learning comes from practical experience, 20% from social interaction, and only 10% from formal training such as courses and textbooks. In other words, most of our professional growth occurs simply by trying things, trying to solve problems, and applying what we have learned in our daily lives.
Focus on 70%. This is learned through learning. Our brains learn better when we engage in materials. So traditional training, which is mostly passive, is not sufficient in itself. When knowledge is applied, the brain connects more strongly with the material, making it easier to remember and apply information later. Furthermore, they learn by learning even remotely by actively solving problems, thinking more critically, and being prepared to adapt to different situations. And the rapid changes in modern workplaces and industries have led to no more useful skills than these.
But how do you practice by doing remote learning? In the office, this happens when you watch others work, take on problem-solving sessions, learn new tools. With remote work, these cannot happen in the way we know best, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t happen at all. With the right strategies, you can create hands-on learning opportunities from anywhere. Below we show you how to practice your learning by doing it as a remote employee. This will help you make the most of your learning opportunities.
How to practice learning by doing as a remote worker
Identify learning opportunities
Working remotely can sometimes feel that there are limitations to what you can do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t grow and develop new skills. The key is to find learning opportunities in your daily work and treat it as practical training. Start by paying attention to the challenges you may face while you’re at work. This could be a difficult client email that will help you improve your communication skills. It’s also a tricky software that has avoided realizing that you can see the tutorial. Another way to find learning opportunities is to observe your peers. For example, if your colleague is good at writing reports, you might look into the approach and try to mimic the technique.
Take on more tasks
One of the best ways to practice remote learning is to volunteer for tasks that seem challenging. When you’re in the office, you usually pick up new skills by seeing what your colleagues are doing, attending meetings, or doing last minute projects. However, remote configuration must be intentional. First, look for a stretch assignment. These are tasks that go beyond your skills, but will help you develop them. Second, we will participate in cross-team collaboration tasks. If you work in marketing but want to improve your data analytics skills, please offer to our analytics team to help with reporting. Finally, don’t avoid side projects. Whether it’s a team or a personal project, take that into consideration. The more you have to do, the more learning moments you have.
Real-world problem solving
What is the best way to learn? Solve the real problem. Certainly, the theory is great, but nothing is effective enough to address the real challenges. When working remotely, you can start by leveraging existing knowledge gained through formal training to solve real work problems. For example, if you’ve learned data analysis, analyze your actual company data, even if you need to redo the course and update memory. Passive learning is not ideal for knowledge retention, so instead of wasting all your training, use it on real issues to see the impact immediately.
Self-learning
When working remotely, no one checks your progress in real time or schedules training sessions. You have complete control over your learning, so try to stay proactive in order to see the results in action. When it comes to remote learning, you need to set a few goals first. For example, you may be able to learn coding, so you will complete your coding course by the end of the weekend. This keeps you motivated and organized. You can also start exploring microlearning. Small lessons are ideal on a daily basis and can also be practical, such as spending 15 minutes a day looking at tutorials on new software.
Apply new skills online
We discussed that applying the skills to learn is at the heart of learning, but how can you do that in a remote configuration? It all depends on what you are learning. If you are taking a course on communication skills, lead the meeting. Similarly, if you learn about Google Ads, try volunteering to launch your campaign. The key is to apply your skills immediately. Sharing what you’ve learned can also help you retain knowledge, such as explaining to team members a concept they just read.
Track your progress
Finally, document your progress. Whether you keep a journal or use formal methods such as progress tracking on a training platform, this will improve your work. Seeing your learning goals have been achieved gives you confidence, and seeing how far you have come will motivate you over time.
Conclusion
Remote learning is not impossible by doing it. No office or in-person training sessions are required to build real skills. Every project or even every mistake is an opportunity to grow. All you have to do is seek opportunities for experimentation and real problem solving so that you can apply what you have learned. So, choose the skills you want to learn and act on them.
