Internally, we find ourselves talking a lot about learning, as you might guess. At Paddl, we walk the walk- we are also committed to making time for learning and development as teams, and as individuals. We call this our commitment to infinite learning. 

In a conversation about infinite learning, and our product offering at Paddl, our CEO Dominique Fisher said something that played over in my mind quite a lot throughout my week: 

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With learning, the journey is far more important than the destination. - Dominique Fisher AM | Paddl CEO‍

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While engaged in a conversation with the team regarding our impressive Paddl alumni, the progression of our learning experience platform, and the upcoming Innovation Essentials sessions, I came to realise that the learners encounter with the process or experience is just as crucial as the outcome or end goal. So, why is the journey so important?

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🛣️ The journey itself is full of valuable experiences and opportunities for growth. It's not just about reaching the end goal, a certificate, a badge, or achieving a certain level of knowledge, but about the process of getting there. The challenges, obstacles, and even failures that we encounter along the way are what help us to develop resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These skills are invaluable in all areas of life, not just in the pursuit of learning and employment.

The journey is also where we form connections and build relationships. Whether it's with our teachers, coaches, mentors, or fellow learners, these connections can provide us with support, inspiration, and valuable feedback. Those we connect with along the way can also help us to see things from a different perspective and broaden our understanding in a certain area.

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💡 Paddl has leveraged asynchronous learning, which refers to online learning that takes place at a student's own pace. We believe that this style of delivery offers a range of benefits for learners who want to upskill for work-related purposes. For one, it provides learners with the flexibility to complete coursework around their schedule, which can be particularly useful for those who work full-time and are juggling other life-commitments. 

Another advantage of asynchronous learning is that it provides learners with opportunities to build peer relationships. Through online discussion forums, chat groups, and collaborative projects (such as our MiniHack series), learners can interact with one another, share ideas, and support one another's learning. This kind of collaboration can be particularly beneficial for those who work remotely or have limited opportunities to connect with colleagues in person.

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💻 Asynchronous learning delivers content in a way that allows learners to progress at their own pace, while still being part of a larger learning community through Paddl for Business. This approach recognises that learners have different schedules, priorities, and learning styles, and aims to provide flexibility while still fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Acknowledging that not all great subject matter experts are stellar presenters, and not all great presenters are able to produce slick, consumer grade digital learning experiences, we’re a big fan of the humble webinar. Webinars are often a more accessible and cost-effective option for learners to access high-quality content, and in my experience, this format offers a more intimate and authentic learning experience that fosters engagement and connection with the instructor. Ultimately, we find our feedback reflects that learners prefer flexibility in terms of scheduling and location, enabling learners to fit their upskilling around other commitments. 

We’re confident in offering our Innovation Essentials to you as a flexible and inclusive way to gain new skills and knowledge, as we’re seeing learners join our sessions from all over the world. We’re also proud to offer a cost-effective subscription model for organizations as they eliminate the need for travel and related expenses to give their widely dispersed teams the opportunity to join in for upskilling together, or at times that suit individual availability. If we can help you get access to Innovation Essentials for your team, please let us know.

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📗 We leave you with this; When it comes to learning, the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the challenges and obstacles that come your way, and take advantage of the opportunities for growth and connection. By doing so, you'll not only achieve the upskilling you set out to complete, but also develop valuable skills and relationships that will serve you well in all areas of life. Lean on Paddl to help you get started on the journey. We’re here to help.

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