DIY Upskilling: 10 psychological insights

By Aditya Shukla, Psychologist, Cognition Today, EdTech Consultant

Purpose-learning

When you upskill, ensure the thing you learn is either linked to a future goal, personal curiosity, or an immediate need. This ensures motivation.

1

Instrumental conditioning

A behavior that causes pain is likely to reduce is frequency. A behavior that causes pleasure is likely to increase. Find the likable things to learn first.

2

Observational learning

The simplest form of learning - by copying and imitating someone - strongly shapes students' behavior in the class. They copy peers, internet persona, parents, teachers, and heros.

3

Scaffolding

We learn best with partial help when things get complicated. Partial help acts as a scaffold, which can be removed little by little until we don't need it.

4

Repetition

The quickest way to ensure you've learned something is by repeating it in a project or small exercise.

5

Variation

When you take up a new skill, learn the various ways in which others apply that skill. That can give you an idea on what to do with your skill.

6

Project work

While learning a new skill, define a project, goal, or problem to work on. This builds context and lets you execute your learning while you learn. It also directly improves your CV & portfolio.

7

Context & Concepts

New ideas, new concepts, and new complexities start making more sense if we understand the context in which those concepts matter.

8

Technical know-how

Learn the jargon, technical vocabulary, concepts, and frameworks that are typical in your skill. These anchor your learning into a network of technical competencies.

9

Gap-analysis

Quickly familiarize yourself with the core skills others have but you lack. Then identify what you can do uniquely with those skills. Consider AI, design, coding, content, etc., for a competitive advantage.

10