The idea of your own self-branching, self-designed, and self-fulfilling educational system is something of a dream to some people. Over time I have modified my Modular Degree framework, using personal knowledge management tools, and taking into account the world are living in.

Now to be precise about that "world" comment, there are two factors:

  1. Educational institutions are failing to prepare the workforce adequately, if at all. Mostly due to longstanding tradition, rather than accepting a new way.
  2. The lack of AI adoption, which is the next step for an even more powerful Modegree.

The Concept of Building Your Own Education

It all started with this idea of a do it yourself degree, that I pursued in order to find a pathway forward. I could not find a traditional pathway for the areas of knowledge I needed for my career.

While some of my own self-learning took a backseat for the content around the topic, it is what started PolyInnovator as we know it today.

The framework is pretty simple. Acquire the links/media of various education resources, organize via folders for each one, then tagging based on topic, and presumably have some sort of taxonomy. Meaning something like "semester", "sprint", or similar.

You can learn more here.

🎓 Self-Education - Modular Degree (Alt to College) - Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]
This is the tag I made for the future of education as a whole. Self-Education is a term I took from Autodidactism, and is something not talked about enough. Most, if not all, very successful individuals of the world exclaim that it was learning that attributed to their success.
Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator

Why Personalize Your Learning Experience?

Each individual person is a separate learner, with different abilities and faults. Some people learn great from hands on, others need verbal guidance, while others still might need just a direction to be fine.

Each learner is different, but on top of that their learning may be different PER subject as well. For example I needed a bit more help growing up with math, but with English or Social Studies I was excellent at.

Depending on your strengths and weaknesses, then you need a personalized curriculum.

Key Components of a Customized Education Framework

Branching out education, and being able to choose what you learn next. I do think there is a subtle limit on the choice, as we naturally want to avoid difficulty by human nature. However if we can have the grit to get over plateaus, then the choice options become even better.

What I mean is think of a course that has 3 pathways, and you can switch between them, however if you lack a bit of discipline it might limit you from switching.

In addition, AI can be of great help here, and it will choose for you whether you are really pushing or just skipping to something else.

Skill Tree Based Learning Part 1 | PolyInnovator OmniBlog
Skill tree based learning is a new way of thinking about how to take courses. Or rather how to make them as well. Take a gander at what I have to say!
Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator

Integrating Modular Elements into Your Learning Journey

If one learning material doesn't do the trick for you, then you can replace it, or at least pivot to another one.

Something about it didn't click with you? Change it.

The teacher in the videos didn't explain well enough? Find another, change it.

This topic isn't really what you thought it was, and now you want to change degrees? Change it.

The modular approach is key for keeping the attention strong, and doing more in total. All this time we have been locked into one modality, and it didn't occur to academia that we could have a choice.

Practical Tips for Designing and Implementing Your Education

Never underestimate yourself first and foremost, but more than that you might be under-estimating what you can possibly accomplish. As in you think that you're "done with school", or that you "can't learn anymore at this age", or maybe you went down a similar path to me: decided not to go to college in youth.

Regardless, that doesn't mean anything RIGHT NOW.

You can make any substantial change you want, and that is beauty of life. You just need to make the decision.

I would sit down, write down 5-10 topics you are interest in, rank them, and then from the top three make a plan.

Your top 3 will be the start to your modular degree, and you can build out your skill tree. Yes I did intend to rhyme.

By making it so that you aren't choosing just one topic right away, then you can have the option to switch when you get bored. Why do I think that is good you ask? You are making a NEW habit from scratch, and the quicker you get into just doing the task of learning. Regardless of topic, then the more you will stick with it.

Its like when you work out, going to the gym is hard to get yourself into that modality. If you start simple, keep a routine, then it becomes easier to just make yourself show up.

Moving Forward: Embracing Your Self-Directed Learning Path

You never know what will be in store for you after learning something new. The act of learning creates all new opportunities in your life.

Something you learned as a side-hobby could end up being your next career!

The Empowerment of a Self-Directed Learning Path

You have the knowledge that you, yourself, did it. You can achieve what you set out to, and by having your own learning path you have control over it.