It takes time to learn to use new technology, whether it is a new piece of machinery or a new app on your phone or laptop. You have a go, you figure it out, you think you have it sussed, but then you come back a week later and you have forgotten a key step or can’t remember the right button to press and when! You have to start from scratch and figure things out again; it’s frustrating.
Does this sound familiar to you?
The problem is that learning complex tasks is hard. Your own brain is working against you; it is built to remember stuff that is important and forget stuff that isn’t.
If you learn something new but don’t go back to it for several days, your brain won’t think that new knowledge is important. Because you haven’t referred to it again, it starts forgetting bits, and the bigger the time gap, the more you forget.
Here are some tips to help your brain work for you, rather than against you:
- Plan several shorter learning sessions rather than one long one and spread them out over several days. Returning again and again to the new learning signals to your brain that this is important, so remember it!
- Test yourself. Try and remember the sequences of actions or buttons you had to press before going back to the manual or help guide. The effort of recalling memories makes them stronger.
- If you can, learn as a group – with your team, partner or even friends. Asking and answering questions helps drive that new learning home.
- Keep using your new technology regularly over the next few weeks and months to reinforce the new learning and remember – don’t give up! It takes time to become an expert.
And don’t forget, if you are training someone else to use new technology, use these techniques to support their learning as best as possible.
By Teena Moody - Head of Learning & Education
