Would you describe learning as fun? Recently I heard of a storytelling program that is called Funda-using the Swahili word for learning. The founder explained that it is through storytelling that our earliest ancestors learned about their surroundings, backgrounds and beliefs. She likes the word because “fun” is a part of its spelling. And shouldn’t learning be fun?

I was one of those kids who enjoyed school and learning new things. Still do. For me, learning something new is part of an ideal day. But learning takes many shapes and experiences, not all having to be in a formalized school setting. Once, in one of my snippy teenage quips to my mother, I told her, “I am not going to school today. School is getting in the way of my education.” I cringe now when I think how I spoke to my mother but my sentiment was that, at the time, the competition in my high school was driving me crazy and I needed a mental health day (not that I knew what that was at the time.)

There is knowledge from reading. From watching. From hearing. From questioning. From experiments. We learn from experience, we learn from others and we learn from “being taught” in the traditional school model.

It is hard to get back in the learning mode once one has left the “formal” school model yet we all can be and should be life-long learners. We have dear friends who are the epitome of life-long learners. For years, their travels involved learning all they could about the visiting destination even the most obscure detail. Their thorough preparation increased the enjoyment of their experiences.

Sadly, when our son tried that method with me, it did not go well. On our trip to Austria, our son, who had studied there, had very kindly printed out a history of the Hapsburgs. It was a large tome, neatly clipped in a binder all ready for reading. He gave it to me with plenty of time to read before the trip, but with one arrangement or another, I did not have time to look at it. I thought I could peruse it during the flight over, but I pretty much slept during the trip and quite frankly, the info was dry as toast. Upon arriving and visiting some of the historic sites, I asked a question. “Didn’t you read the book?” my son asked. He was quite exasperated. “I didn’t know we were having a quiz!” was my response.

For me, reading has always been one of the ways I learn new things. However I am finding that lately I engage in short bursts of information- whether that is written or through video. I wonder if my shortened attention span has become learned behavior due to social media? Losing focus as I age? Or just out of practice and habit?

What about you? When was the last time you had fun learning? Ever? Have you ever wanted to learn something just for the learning process? What would you like to know? How can you go about it?

Many years ago I read a book in which the author would describe, “creative excursions”: little trips that expand our minds. Perhaps like my life-long learner friends, we all should practice going on creative excursions: daily informational sessions that help us grow. Perhaps we should have our daily “funda”.

Here are some ideas for learning:

Local art museums- many times they offer free lectures (on site) or videos through their websites.
Enroll in Masterclass ($) (masterclass.com) or other “masterclass” type paid video content.
youtube offers a plethora of informational videos: TedTalks; language videos; how-to videos; most college/university have uploaded some courses.
Recently I discovered: jeanneoliver.com (creative collective- free and $ classes).
Local community colleges, recreational centers- offer various courses (in-person and online).
Local library- besides books, many offer classes or workshops.
Trade a skill with a friend- do you know how to do something? Your friend knows something else? Teach each other.
Ask questions: If you see someone doing something that is interesting or know that the individual has a specific skill or knowledge- ask them questions about it.
Engage a friend to join you on your learning quest.