This report and other recent studies show that online learning, distance learning, and self-learning in general, are not only more convenient, but, in fact, more effective than the classroom, for high school, college and adult learners. In the last decade, the Internet, the MP3 player, the iPhone, and other mobile devices,as well as social networking sites, language exchange communities, online learning systems, university courses online and more, have changed how we deal with knowledge. The walls of academia, and the costs of learning, are crumbling¹ before our eyes and ears.

本篇报道和其他近期研究都显示普遍而言，网络课程、远程教育和自学比起传统高中、大学和成人教育模式等，不仅更加方便、而且效率更高。在过去的十年当中，互联网、mp3随身听、iPhone、其他便携式设备以及网络社区、网上教育课程、高校网络教程等等都改变了我们学习知识的方式。高等教育的围墙、大笔的学费都在我们眼前崩塌。

For those who are conditioned to think that learning only happens in a classroom, the world of self-learning can be a little daunting². How do we best take advantage these new opportunities.

对于那些认为学习只能在教室中进行的人而言，自学可能会吓怕他们。那么我们怎么才能最好的利用自学这种新兴的学习方法呢？下面以自学外语为例，为大家介绍一些小诀窍。

1. Get interested

第一步：对所学之物感兴趣

Make no mistake. Your interest in the subject is the essential driver of success. You can't learn what you do not want to learn. Emotion is an important part of the learning process. If you are even moderately interested in a subject, give yourself a chance. The key is to get started. If you can create some pleasurable routines, you may find that the subject grows on you. “L’appetit vient en mangeant” (the appetite comes with eating) as they say in French.

可别搞错了，兴趣是成功学成某件事的根本要素！你不想学的东西当然学不会。在学习过程中保持热情至关重要。所以如果你对某件事有些兴趣，那就给自己一个学习的机会。关键是要“开始”！（恒星小编：就像某广告说的那样，just do it!）如果你能创造一些让自己开心的学习模式，那么就能好好开始学习这门科目。就像他们在法语里说的那样：吃着吃着就有胃口了！

2. Expect problems and you won’t be disappointed.

第二布：降低期望值，这样就不会对自己失望

Don't expect to understand things, much less remember them, the first time you study them. Trust that things will get clearer as your brain comes to grips with new information. It is like a jig-saw puzzle or a cross-word puzzle. As you start to put the pieces together, or string the words together, the full picture becomes clearer. The brain learns all the time, but on its own schedule. Learning does not take place according to a schedule laid down by a curriculum or teacher. Some things are easier to learn than others. Some things just take longer to click in. Keep at it, and you will gradually find that things that seem difficult at first, will become second nature with time.

当一开始学习的时候，别指望能一下就全部理解、更别说记住所有知识点了。要相信，随着你了解越来越多的新知识、你的头脑也会变得清晰起来。这就像是拼图、或者填字游戏那样：当你把图形一个一个拼起来、或是把单词一一填进去，整个大局就会清楚。大脑其实随时都在学习，不过它也有自己的节奏。学习的过程是不会按照一个课程、或是老师给你规定的进行的。有的东西比其他好学，有的东西就是需要花更多时间。坚持下去，你慢慢就会发现那些一开始看上去很难的东西也会随着时间变得简单了。

3. Cover the same ground from different angles.

第三步：从不同的角度学习同一个知识点。

Your brain is struggling to form patterns to cope with new input³ from your learning activities. Sometimes, no matter how long you focus on one subject, your brain is not going to pick it up. If you are stuck, move on. Then cover the same general information from a different source, a different book, or a podcast, or an online lecture or a video. Try to become a grazing learner, roaming the countryside, rather than a feedlot learner, just standing⁴ there in one spot, munching⁵ on the same bale of hay. The broader your base, the easier it is to learn. Just as the “rich get richer”, the more you know, the more you can learn.

在新知识的学习过程中，你的大脑会通过固有模式来接受新的知识点。有的时候，不管花多长时间对着一个科目，你就是记不住它。如果卡在这种时候，就略过它。跟着从其他的信息来源：比如不同的书籍、播客、线上课程或视频来重新学习同一个知识点。试着把自己变成一个“放养”的学习者——在知识的草原上四处周游；而不是“圈养”的学习者——只站在一个点上学习，反复咀嚼一个知识点。看地越广、就能学的轻松。就像是“有钱的更有钱”的道理那样，你知道的越多、就能学的越多。

4. Anytime is learning time.

第四步：随时都是学习时间！

Take full advantage of the Internet, iTunes, and various mobile devices, not to mention good old-fashioned books and magazines. Learn during “dead time”. Listen in your car, on the train, or while jogging. Have your learning with you while waiting in the doctor's office, or listen while checking out at the supermarket. Anytime is learning time. Remember, you are learning through exposure, not by nailing things down. It is more like moisture accumulation in a cloud, rather than building a brick wall.

一定要好好利用互联网、iTunes和其他多种移动便携设备，更不用说书籍和杂志这样的传统学习资源啦!把那些“死时间”也都利用起来：开车、坐火车、或者慢跑时都可以听课。在医院排队、或是超市等结账的时候你有没有在听课呢？其实随时都可以是学习时间。记住，你要与学习材料耳鬓厮磨来学习，而不是痛苦地一点一点去啃材料。这个过程更像是一朵云的形成，是水汽的一点点累计；而不像砌一面墙那样，把砖堆上去就好。

5. Be a multimedia⁶ learner.

第五步：做一个多媒体学习者

The more varied⁷ your learning content, and the more varied the ways in which you learn, the clearer the puzzle will become. Different learning activities suit different people, at different times of the day. Vary your activities in order to keep your interest level up. Even if listening and reading work best for you, treat yourself to the odd video lecture, or get-together⁸ with other learners. This will renew your batteries.

你学习的内容越多、来源越多，你就会对知识点越清楚。不同的人适合不同的学习方法，每天的学习“兴奋点”也不错。所以最好能找到自己的一套学习规律来保持自己的“兴奋度”。即便听和读是你习惯的学习方式，也要让自己试着去听听看视频的演讲、或是跟其他学习者交流。这会让你重新充满精力！

6. Join learning communities.

第六步：加入学习社区

The “loneliness of the distance learner” is a thing of the past. Join a learning community on the web, where members share their knowledge and experience. Search for the communities that suit your interests and learning style. You will find encouragement, advice and stimulus⁹ from fellow learners, as well as from tutors, teachers and coaches. In these communities, you can measure your progress against your own goals, or compare your experience with that of other learners. You can even teach and help others, which is a great way to learn.

“远程教育是孤独的”概念已经成为过去。现在你可以加入一个网络学习社区，和大家一起分享知识与经验。找一个符合你兴趣和学习方式的社区。在那里你可以从其他学习者身上找到鼓励、建议和动力，同时也有导师、老师和教练给你提供支持。在这些社区中，你能更好地检验自己的学习进度、也可以和其他学习者竞争。甚至，你还可以教授或帮助其他人，这的确是一个学习的好方法！