Simply put, the web has transformed the way people can learn and share information. The change in just the last few years since I’ve graduated from formal learning has been incredible. I won’t go into Web 2.0 or any of the other buzzwords out there right now.

Instead, I’d like to share a few things that I’ve learned recently on the web - and encourage you to pick a topic, any topic and learn more about it. The return (learning all about a new topic, allowing you to grow personally, professionally, spiritually, etc.) is often MUCH greater than the investment (a computer, web connection and some time).

All told, I read around a 12-15 blogs every day. It may seem like a lot, but the 30-60 minutes invested every day teaches me as much as I learned inan entire day when in college (no disrespect to my school - it too was invaluable - but the information provided by industry leaders on reputable blogs can’t be beat).

Over the last year or so, I’ve learned a lot from the web, including:

Photography

I’ve always been interested in photography. The results of combining a creative vision and a single moment is an exhilarating process. My wife was already a fairly accomplished photographer and earlier this year, after several years of talking about it, we decided to start a small photography studio, Professional Snapshots. In order to feel competent in this new venture and to support my wife, I started reading just about any blog I could.

In a fairly short amount of time I was able to learn an incredible amount about the technical aspects of a camera, lighting, composition and more. I was also able to find vast amounts of examples and inspiration.

This learning, combined with some good-old-fashioned practice, has taken me a long way. You can check out my other blog about photography and some of our work, here, here and here. I took the photo at the top of this post - it is one of my personal favorites - you can click on it for a much larger view.

If you are intesreted in learning more about photography, or as a resource to some great examples of how to put together information on a topic, you can check out some of my favorite photography blogs:

• Strobist: One of the most heavily visited photography sites on the web. Featuring information on lighting, at the time of this potsing, it receives several hundred thousand visitors a month.
• ScottKelby.com: Great general resource. As an author of a ton of best selling books, Scott has written an incredible amount of information on photography. I highly recommend his books, and his blog.
• Chase Jarvis: This Seattle-based photographer helped defind what it means to share knowledge with a community. He lets you inside his black box, providing a unique look of the behind-the-scenes activities of a accomplished photographer.
• Photodoto
• Digital Photogaphy School
• Digital Pro Talk

Software

My wife is jealous of our computer. I’ve got to admit, it probably gets more attention than it should. I’ll also admit it. My name is Brian and I’m addicted to software. It’s a critical part to my job as a designer-technology-communications person (I tend to wear a lot of different hats). As a result, I read several blogs and do consistent research on forums for lots of software programs. Doing so helps me stay up to date on all the different programs I use. Some of them are InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Lightroom, Microsoft Office Suite, SnagIt and Captivate.

Some of my favorite technology blogs/podcasts are:

• InDesignSecrets
• PhotoshopUserTv
• LightroomKillerTips

GeoCaching

GeoCaching is the topic that prompted this post. Here’s how it came about. I was researching various GPS Receivers for use in photography (to record where I was taking various landscape pictures). As I did so, I ran across GeoCaching. In just a few hours I was able to learn all about and start another personal hobby.

In a nutshell, GeoCaching is small-time treasure hunting. People hide small boxes with interesting items in them (toys, CDs, etc.) and then post their coordinates on a web site, www.geocaching.com. Then, others program coordinates into their GPS receivers and find their way to the treasure, taking what was in the box and leaving goodies of their own.

As a person who likes to hike and with a family always looking for something fun to do, this seemed like something worth trying. So, in just a few hours I was able to research a topic, find applicable GPS receivers and begin a new hobby. Without the web, doing something like this would have taken quite a bit longer.

I love the web - the return of knowledge it provides is amazing.

I am coaching my son’s soccer team this year (5 year olds).It has been quite the learning experience.

At times it has been like hearding cats.  It has also been an amazing opportunity for me to understand how people learn and how effective communications work.  I have a story to illustrate just one lesson I learned.

We were right in the middle of a great drill.  The kids were all engaged and appeared to be learning some essential skills.  I notice several kids were struggling with getting the ball in the goal and I knew I had to teach them to keep thier eyes on the goal. So being a good teacher, I asked a question.  “Where do we keep our eyes when we shoot the ball” I yelled out.  One boy, without hesitation, yelled back…”in our head!”  You have to love the beauty of honesty.

I went to Google and typed “good learning” into the search box. I then hit “I’m Feeling Lucky”. The second paragraph of the website I went to is below:

The unifying point in all forms of constructivism is that things and reality are not seen as given, inevitable, or natural, but as constructed by human beings or by human activities. Constructivism is often contrasted to behaviorism and to “transmissive” models of learning where human beings are seen as passive receivers of information.”

No wonder so many young people are afraid to learn. How could you not be inspired to join the “good learning” club when it is so eloquently and simply laid out for you as above (notice the extreme sarcasm in my voice).

If we are ever going to get GenY and GenX interested in true learning opportunities on the job, we have to start making it simple and fun!