Futuristic Learning by Greg

Futuristic Learning by Greg - March 2022 Scholarship Essay

Social media has revolutionized my learning experience in so many ways. Before recently enrolling at a 4-year university, I got a jump on my education using social media websites. I began my journey on LinkedIn. I initially used LinkedIn to post my resume and search for jobs. Then I discovered LinkedIn Learning. This is a vast library of tutorials and lectures covering many relevant topics from accounting to computer programming to nailing a job interview. At that time, I had already decided that I wanted to study Data Science and Data Analytics. I purchased a monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning and began studying. I first went after Microsoft Office applications. I studied Word, Power Point, and Excel. In less than one year I obtained Microsoft Office Specialist Associate certification.
While I was studying on LinkedIn Learning I found another educational website called Kahn Academy. This website provides superior math instruction. I brushed up on algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. I then shifted gears and began studying statistics (I’m going to college to become a Statistician.) I studied math on Khan Academy simultaneously as I studied Microsoft Office applications on LinkedIn Learning. Along the way I discovered another similar website called Udemy. Udemy is just like LinkedIn Learning but covers a few topics that I could not find on LinkedIn Learning. Then I found Measure Up. This website provides practice exams for many certifications in the world of computers and data. I used the information I learned on these websites and the testing materials I purchased on Measure Up to get certified in Microsoft Office. This was proof to me that LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Khan Academy, and Measure Up are legitimate, quality educational websites.
The only drawback in all of this was that none of the hundreds of hours of studying I was working through were accredited. I would not get any college credits for all this work, just the knowledge and certificates. That is when I discovered Sophia Learning Pathways, anther learning website that was developed by Capella University. Sophia.org has actual, accredited college courses. I purchased a 1-year membership and began studying again. This time, though, when I would complete a course I would receive college credits for it. It worked. I was able to accumulate 30 college credits that all transferred to my current school, Regent University. When I finally enrolled at Regent in May of 2021 I was already a sophomore with Microsoft Office certification. The major takeaway is that this entire journey began on a social media website, LinkedIn. It was LinkedIn that catapulted me into an epic and affordable educational experience. These are all great websites with obvious advantages over just buying a textbook or going to a library.
The major drawback is the nature of online learning itself. It can be challenging to learn without being in a classroom with a teacher or a professor and other students. In college you can contact your professor if you have a question. With all of the above-mentioned websites, this is not necessarily the case. It depends on the website. For example, some instructors on Udemy allow for you to email or message them with any questions, similar to an online college experience. Other websites, like Measure Up, are only for buying testing materials (really good testing materials.)
Finally, after completing my first computer programming course at Regent, I took it a step further. I once again used LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and also the PYTHON Institute to become PYTHON Entry-Level Programmer certified. This was due in part to using Facebook. Facebook, believe it or not, is where you can get your questions answered. I joined a Facebook group dedicated to PYTHON programming. Upon joining the Facebook group, I was able to ask incredibly knowledgeable people about PYTHON topics, and they were and still are more than willing to provide quality answers, for free.
These are many of the ways that I have been able to learn so much so fast and so inexpensively. Furthermore, social media has led me to discover numerous scholarships to try to help pay for my education. Websites like Varsity Tutors and Bold.org are wonderful, free opportunities to apply for scholarships. Some of the scholarship programs actually require that the applicant follow the scholarship organization on Instagram, which is where they announce the winner. Social media has had an impact on my learning experience in more ways than I can describe. Social media and the internet have exceedingly increased my access (physically and financially) to a college education. I am excited about getting a college education right now, in this amazing, technologically advanced environment of our present world. It is indeed a whole new journey to getting smarter.