Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.  – Benjamin Franklin

During the learning process, being creative by looking beyond the learning material should know no bounds. If the brain is a sponge, it can also be a sieve if what is learnt is not retained.

If we are to agree that the result of the learner’s final examination provides testimony to the degree in which they applied other resources to enhance their performance, we can begin to look at ways in which we can make learning stick.

Ask me a question related to GCSE Geography and I will likely flounder for the answer for I have forgotten it. Ask me to recall basic HTML tags and I will gleefully divulge them.

Become your own mentor

The Karate Kid had Mr Miyagi and Luke Skywalker had Obi Wan Kenobi but for the lone e-learner, the equivalent to perfecting kicks, punches and Lightsaber play can become a task beyond daunting without the aid of a mind trick or two. Create a character that motivates you, questions you and pushes you towards your desired end. Do you respond to the soothing sensual tone of a soul singer or the rasping rollicking of a Drill Sergeant? Adopt a persona when memorising important chunks of information that are vital to the topic being studied and say them out loud. Morgan Freeman listing the finer points of the importance of character development in novel writing might resonate.

Break it up and repeat

The mind needs a rest from information so short sessions of learning with breaks as respite (as opposed to hours of cramming) seem to be one recommended method. Crucially, the effectiveness of this approach lies in what the learner does during those breaks away from the material. So, revisit pertinent material and corresponding notes made. Sit mini mock exams and test yourself regularly. The old adage practice makes perfect suitably applies here.

Give the performance of your life

How does the actor remember his lines and why are some actors better than others? The key to a great performance surely lies in the depth of application during preparation for a role. Make emotional connections to the material and become actively involved in the learning. Ask yourself, why are you learning? Being interested in the subject might not be enough. Bring your learning to everyday aspects of your life by taking it with you when shopping, exercising and seeing friends.

Game, set and match is a treat

Sportsmen and women often visualise a great performance and they have answers to the questions they posed to themselves. Where might I trip up? What can I see going well? What are my weaknesses and strengths? This is all about goals that you set yourself in the process of conquering a topic of study. Dedicate time to achieving specifically set goals and reward yourself. Today is the day I learn about…and if I do, that cupcake is mine.

Learning anything should never be a chore. Learning can and should be fun and the long and winding and often obstacle ridden path to making what we have learnt stick needn’t be a completely lonely one.