Learn Computer Skills Fast & Free!

The time it requires to enroll for and complete a formal computer software course or class may not be fast enough for you. Many free tools can help you learn highly-valued computer software skills that you need to increase your earning power. Here are a few suggestions: [Read more...]

Your Dictionary Habit

Learning more depends on expanding your vocabulary. Words serve as building blocks to:

  • Express yourself better
  • Understand others better
  • Create new concepts and ideas
  • Help you win Scrabble

Several years ago, a mentor of mine recommended a habit that has helped increase my vocabulary immensely. Want to learn the secret? [Read more...]

Easy Ways to Take Notes

How can you keep all your bookmarks, notes, and links in one place when you work on a different computer at home, school, the library and at work? A great web-based service called Evernote enables you to copy and paste from any computer or mobile device (including iPhone) to your own evernote account. No need to write on scraps of paper or synchronize files. It’s not just convenient, it’s a great learning tool also. Did I mention that the basic account is FREE?

Various versions of files, documents, shortcuts and links swamp the hard drives on each of the three computers I use. My thumb drives contain a web of duplicated files, text and shortcuts. And my wife laughs at the ever-expanding stack of my notes scribbled on note cards, business cards, receipts, or junk mail envelopes. I need all my bookmarks, text copied from electronic sources, and downloaded files available in one place, accessible from any computer I use. Enter Evernote. [Read more...]

Free Learning Resources…Your Local Library

Many public and university libraries have proactively adapted to the changes in how people exchange information. You’ll find many free, up-to-date tools and resources to increase your knowledge, skills, and income potential.

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Learn Better by Understanding Your Learning Styles

Learning theories mention visual (sight), auditory (hearing), and kinesthetic (hands-on) learners. However, these simple classifications often limit the approaches people take in trying to qualify themselves and learn more effectively [Read more...]

Training by Hostage

When was the last time you were “forced” to learn something? Did you have to attend a training session for your job? Have to complete an online course for school? Required to complete job hunting workshops to maintain unemployment benefits? The fact is we don’t learn very well when we feel the “education” is against our wills. Pink Floyd phrased the sentiment well when they sang, “We don’t need no education…we don’t need no mind control!” The more liberated you feel, the better you’ll learn.

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Invent the Next Facebook

Do you ever try to dream up the next big thing that might change the world and make you rich? I’d guess that Facebook, Twitter and Google dominate most conversations about Internet technology and innovation. But what’s next? There must be a “next.” Will it be your invention?.

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Instructional Design – Learn Higher Paying Skills

Family get-togethers turn strange when relatives ask, “So, what is it you do for a living again?” I reply, “I’m an Instructional Designer!” Without fail, the next crack is something like, “Don’t they make some type of pill that will cure that?” My Grandpa-in-Law is still convinced I make comic books for a living – a far cry from the interactive computer-based training I develop. Learning the basic principles of instructional design can help you teach yourself more effectively and master higher paying job skills.

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Make Decisions Easier: Understand Opportunity Cost

When you try to do the math – adding up all the Pro’s and Con’s – to make a good decision, you might not be using the proper equation. You’ve got to factor in the costs and values of things you’ll bypass with a certain course of action.

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Blog to Learn

Has the fad of blogging died out yet? I – like Darren Rowse of Problogger.net – hate the term itself. Sounds like some bodily indiscretion: “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go blog.” However, publishing through the Internet offers great opportunities to improve several important abilities. You’ll sharpen your marketable skills, make some new friends, and possibly bring in some extra money as you start sharing your ideas through blogging.

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