Have you ever tried to learn something brand new as an adult?

What does learning look like outside of formal education, anyway?

Have you ever tried to learn something brand new as an adult? I mean brand new–something in which you have absolutely no background. Something, dare I say, outside of a degree program and the structure and constraints of formal education.

I am a pretty good student. I don’t think that’s making the same statement as claiming I’m smart, or quick to learn something. I understand well the system and expectations of formal education (largely due to the privileges of my upbringing) and I can usually succeed in my classes because of this. I can study. I can take tests. I can compose well-written essays.

But what does learning look like outside of the structure of formal education?

Early on in 2023, I found myself looking at graduate programs–again. I have considered going back to school many times to pursue a degree beyond my master’s.

But after thinking hard about the time and financial investment necessary, I realized: I just want to learn something new! I like learning.

As an instructional designer, I found myself thinking: What does learning something brand new look like for an adult? What might motivate an adult learner to start learning something new from scratch? How do they stay motivated to keep trying even when it gets uncomfortable and they make mistakes?

As a good student, I found myself thinking: What if it’s hard? What if I look foolish? What if I mess up?

In the end, I decided: I’m going to take cello lessons.

I don’t have any background in music. But I started in February.

It’s made me reflect a lot about learning design and what it feels like to learn something brand new, and take risks, as an adult. This has made me think a lot about what these things mean for the learners for whom I am designing training. Instructional designers spend a lot of time thinking about their learners; but when was the last time I had felt what it was like to learn something new?

You might be thinking: wait, Christie, I signed up for a blog about teaching with technology in mind?

I know. I’m going to use my cello lessons as a framework to get started later this week when I talk about understanding out audience, but I promise we’ll come back around to technology.

When is the last time you tried to learn something brand new outside of formal education?

Share in the comments below! Why did you do it? What kept you motivated?

Be sure to subscribe or follow me on LinkedIn so you know when my next post comes out later this week about understanding our audience. Thanks for reading, see you then!