the Humanist view

Premise

Are you learning on your own volition and for your own endowment?

Are you learning because you are forced to?

Are you learning because it is the necessary trend?

Are you learning because it will significantly affect you if you do not learn?

Are you learning to pass an exam?

Why are you learning?

You catch my drift…

Learning TikTok

Of recent, I am ‘forced’ to learn how to use TikTok. I am doing it on my own volition and for my knowledge and skills endowment.

I felt I had no choice but to learn it, if I was going to be able to reach the target group of the current human development project we are implementing and for which I am Team Leader.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our work at our non-profit, CPAR Uganda.

We are primarily targeting youth and women, who may have not necessarily attained advanced tertiary formal schooling; are actively innovating; and are engaged in economic activity intended to improve their lot.

Motivation

Skilling – The first thing that is keeping me motivated is my quest to figure out the technology; and how to best use it for my intentions.

Content – The second, and which surprised me, is the volume of great knowledge sharing.

ISLAMIC BANKING: Today, for example, I watched and listened to a video on TikTok from which I learnt the major difference between ‘Islamic Banking’ and ‘Secular Banking’. I learnt the former is based on ‘Islamic Morals’ and Principles. It is the more noble, in my view. What is more noble than lending money without extracting a ‘pound-of-flesh’ type interest from the borrower. And instead partnering with the borrower to ensure success of the reason behind the borrowing, so that it is from the net profit that the Islamic Bank gets a share. As in the Islamic Bank does not charge interest, it does not grow its wealth from taking money which is not borne of money that has worked. The money must first work. Wow, just wow!

Mastering – The third, is how do I master it, in order to make it work for me. How do I use it in such a way that I don’t end up spending loads of time in and or chasing ‘rabbit holes’?

INFORMATION OVERLOAD: Case in point, for example, the significant volume of information on TikTok on Uganda at the moment on who is likely going to become the next Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Speaker of the 12th Parliament. Suddenly, there seems a plethora of ‘experts’. The volume of misinformation and propaganda going around is mind boggling. But within it all are the voices of reason whispering, such as the very few who insist on debating all encompassing principles. As opposed to the loud majority chest thumping and stomping for establishment of precedents and justification for extra-judicial action. Concerningly, moreover miss-branding it egalitarianism.

Enjoyment – The fourth, I am enjoying the challenge of self-motivated learning, at my own pace and self-set targets.

Conclusion

Staying motivated when learning something new depends on why you are learning the new thing in the first place.

It is difficult to remain positively motivated when learning, if the learning is forced upon you.

I dare say, learning negatively motivated, the kind on which punitive action it attached if not done, will most likely not be retained post experience.

Learning necessary needs to be incentivized from the inside out. The learner should want to learn by their own volition.

My two-bits.