Written by Jon Stojan
Learning is a dynamic process that extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Modern living requires that learning be an ongoing process, one relatable to real life.
As explained in this as-told-to essay by Armenian Entrepreneur and Innovator, Vazgen Gevorkyan, today people learn through the integration of formal education with working experience, mentorship, and self-educational activities. It is exactly the integration of such components that determines the nature of learning.
Information is almost everywhere. The ability to read information such as this, to interpret it, or to apply it successfully, is slowly becoming the real measure of education. Success is increasingly beginning to depend upon the potential of people to acquire knowledge, to adapt to change, and to make decisions with proper reasoning.
Modern education also takes into consideration the role of imagination. The innovations brought about by modern education also include those who have no qualms in pursuing those deemed as “wild” ideas. Although imagination is not enough to innovate, innovation involves the discipline to develop those ideas into something fruitful.
This is something my father taught me when I was a young boy. My father was proud of our Armenian heritage and loved telling me folk stories, stories teeming with wisdom, imagination, and moral depth. I hold fond memories of listening to him share these stories, each one a lesson in culture, empathy, and the power of oral tradition as a form of education extending far beyond books.
These included myths and legends with subtle messages of prudence and patience and foresight. These stories have stuck with me because they conveyed a type of knowledge that is not apparent in theories. It is a knowledge fashioned out of observation and time.
As I have progressed through my working life, it is the idea of tacit knowledge that has increasingly applied to me. Whether it be finance, infrastructure, or development work, those teams that understand experience to be their education have consistently been the most successful. It is in the subtle, often unspoken lessons that go beyond formal training and structured learning, like how people collaborate with each other, solve problems under pressure, and adapt to change, where the real shaping of a team's capability comes into play.
The growth of tacit knowledge is based on shared experience and reflection; building trust and intuition that no manual or course can provide.
It is learning from experience, and learning from their experiences with each other, that has led our teams to develop not only skill but also a collective wisdom that sustains long-term success.
Today's organizations have developed learning cultures that create systems to question and improve their work. These companies believe that education improves not only skills but also character.
It is the statement of a larger truth in the history of education: knowledge does not finish at the close of formal learning; it is continually made at work and in experience. Books give education form and history, but experience gives meaning to the lessons.
In today’s digital and AI-driven world, information is more accessible than ever before. Facts, data, and insights that once took hours or even days to find can now be pulled instantly. But this abundance of information brings a new challenge. The true value lies not in what we know but in our ability to interpret, evaluate, and make decisions based on that knowledge. Learning is undergoing a profound transformation as a result. It is no longer simply a process of memorizing facts or acquiring static knowledge. Increasingly, learning is about cultivating the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and act decisively in complex and rapidly changing environments. This shift demands not only intellectual engagement but also practical application. Learners must navigate ambiguity, weigh options, and take informed action. In essence, the most important skill of the future will be the ability to translate information into insight and insight into effective decision-making.
In the future, a habit of learning will be cultivated. Education is more than just a stage of life; it has become a way of living. The pace of transformation in the way we learn is such that in another decade, education will look entirely different from what it is today. Digital tools, AI, and new modes of connection are remaking the ways in which we gain knowledge and build skills. Yet, amidst change, the heart of learning must remain the same. It should continue to be about enhancing one's capability to grow, adapt, and understand the world with curiosity and responsibility. Lifelong learning will not only define how we work but also how we live, think, and contribute meaningfully to society.
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