Of all the things that make the internet valuable, the most important in my opinion, is that it is an effective learning tool.

The internet helps us tackle the complexity of knowledge in small, convenient steps. This is especially true of blog posts, articles, article series and tutorials. Each small step matters, but our long-term learning goals are far more important.

Here are some tips on how to use the internet to improve industry specific & professional knowledge.

Find the person behind the content

There’s so much information on the internet that it’s easy to forget the people who put them there! Remember that really nice article, that informative post, and that inspiring graphic? They were written and made by someone!

Getting to know the person behind the content can be very useful. Check article by-lines, read ‘about’ pages, and do some research. Knowledge is important and knowing the right people can lead you to the right piece of information at the right time!

Escape the location trap

Location specific information can be useful. However, this is not always the case. It may well be that the bulk of materials within your reach have been written by people whose experiences and day-to-day lives are quite different from yours.

Read them anyway! Learn what you can about best practices and methods. Gain insight on how to solve problems here in Nigeria by studying how things are done elsewhere. Take advantage of the information available to you and escape the location trap!

Subscribe to websites and newsletters

‘Content is King’ in today’s world and almost everyone who runs a blog or website is eager to deliver extra content to people who appreciate it. Subscribing keeps you in the loop and gives you access to more content, often personalized, at no additional cost.

Use social and digital media wisely

Use social and digital media sites to learn and grow as a professional. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Youtube, Slideshare, Itunes, Soundcloud, etc, are used daily to research, collect, and distribute quality content. Find trusted sources, collect useful content, and conduct yourself in such a way that you can also become a trusted source.

Interact positively and constructively

Comment, evaluate, criticize, ask questions, and vote! Share your own knowledge and build relationships. The comments section is often a treasure trove because of reader contributions and multiple interactions with the author. Enhance the value of a forum by adding your 2 cents!

Verify the authenticity of sources

This applies to websites, social media handles, quotes, and even Wikipedia entries. Cross-reference and find multiple corroborating sources for any information you find. Bloggers often cross-link to older posts that provide greater context for the subject at hand. Use this and other tools to assess the authenticity and reputation of a website.

No matter how tedious or pointless it seems, it is important to verify information. It is part of the due diligence we perform as users and content creators on the internet. Also, report spammer accounts and notify people when you think their accounts have been hacked. Do your due diligence when sourcing for information online.

Respect the source, Respect the web

Respect authors and creators of content by citing and linking to their work when you quote, paraphrase, or summarize parts of it. Learners often become plagiarists by accident. That doesn’t excuse the act.

Respect the internet and the positive culture of the web. The rules that govern the internet are in flux. Like many, I support liberal access beyond national borders as a matter of principle. While destructive events will not upend this principle, it will make it much harder to defend. Let’s keep the web open. Respect the web.

Pay for knowledge when you can

Pay for ebooks, podcasts, lecture notes or enroll in an online course when you can. Taking a series of accredited courses is one way to complete a certified program. Aim high. Get a certificate to prove you know what you know and are qualified to do what you do!

Conclusion

The internet makes learning easy, but knowledge is complicated. What the internet does is allow us to tackle the complexity of knowledge in small, convenient steps. Each small step matters, but your long-term learning goals are far more important.