5 mins

Learn More, Faster With This Science-Backed Learning Method

Guided learning can help you learn new skills in the most effective way possible. And this app is harnessing the method.
by Vanessa Gibbs | 2023-05-11

There are two types of learners in the world. Those who like to learn alone and those who want support and guidance. You might think that self-directed learners are best, but research shows guided learning may be more effective.

One study found knowledge sharing, trust, and interpersonal communication are key to improved performance at a company. Instead of employees learning new skills alone, the best results come from working together and sharing learnings across the organization.

Another study found that to improve learning at work, it must be part of an established process. Without guidance, learning simply won’t be as effective.

All this is to say that if you’re looking to learn new skills — either for work or in your personal life — science says it’s worth seeking out guidance.

This Knowledge App Harnesses Guided Learning Methods So You Can Learn More Effectively

One company has harnessed this research to create learning materials that guide you through new skills, so you can learn faster and more effectively.

That company? Blinkist, an award-winning learning app. Blinkist is known for offering 15-minute explainers of nonfiction books and has even been named “one of the best apps in the world” by Apple.

And as Blinkist is always improving how its users can learn more, the app is now offering Guides. Guides are expert-led mini-courses that use the power of guided learning to help anyone expand their knowledge — fast.

Blinkist’s Guides are narrated by an expert who walks you through a topic step by step. Along the way, you’ll get actionable advice, wisdom from top nonfiction books, and interactive exercises to make new knowledge stick.

Step-By-Step Learning Curated by an Expert

When Blinkist surveyed its users in 2019, 41% said there’s so much to learn they don’t know where to start. This is where guided learning comes in. You can progress through a Guide on Blinkist, knowing all of the must-know information has already been curated for you. There are key points from relevant nonfiction books, as well as exercises and useful recaps, so new knowledge is repeated and memorized.

For example, want to improve your skills of persuasion? Turn to the Guide on “How to Argue Well” led by world champion debater Bo Seo. Seo shares lessons from his own book, Good Arguments, as well as a reflection exercise to help you get to the heart of a disagreement.

Want to avoid burnout, you need the Guide “Manage Your Mental Health at Work” with psychotherapist Nora Dietrich.

Leading a remote team, or want to do so one day? Entrepreneur Robert Glazer will guide you through “Bringing People Together While Working Remotely”.

“There’s so much information in the world today, and it seems as if there is less time than ever before. Blinkist’s team of experts sifts through books for me to find the signal and avoid the noise.” –Aidan McCullen, Athlete & Media Personality

Develop New Skills in 15 Minutes a Day

The Guides are made up in part of Blinkist’s bite-sized explainers of nonfiction books, which you can also find as stand-alone titles. These are easy-to-follow explainers you can read or listen to in 15 minutes.

A team of expert researchers, writers, and editors pull out the most important parts of a book and share them in an easy-to-follow explainer you can read or listen to in 15 minutes.

There are 6,500 titles in the Blinkist library in three different languages. And these titles span 27 categories including leadership, productivity, and psychology.

Guided Learning On the Go

Just because learning is guided, that doesn’t mean it has to happen at home or at your desk.

Blinkist’s Guides and bite-sized explainers are available in written and audio form, on the web and on your phone. That means you can fit learning into any moment of your day. Why not start a Guide over breakfast and finish it on your commute home?

Blinkist also harnesses other science-backed learning methods, including neuroscientific techniques, to make all of its content as memorable and actionable as possible.

Apple Thinks Blinkist is a Top App for Lifelong Learning

Remember when we said trust was key to improved performance? Well, Blinkist is trusted by some pretty big names.

It’s been praised by The New York Times and Forbes, it’s won awards from Google and the United Nations, and Apple named it one of the top 20 apps for lifelong learning.

Even Apple CEO, Tim Cook, is a fan.

Get guided learning on thousands of skills on the Blinkist app.

26 Million Users Are Already Accelerating Their Learning

Beyond big names, Blinkist is trusted by millions of people around the world — 26 million to be exact!

These users come to the app with one goal: to learn. Want proof? Users have given Blinkist 94,000 5-star reviews in app stores, and gaining knowledge is a key theme:

“I find the app a great way of expanding my knowledge of a variety of subjects from science to politics to self motivation. It’s a great app to read on the go or last thing at night before bed.” –5-star review.“This app makes information consumption and retention so easy. Hearing it and reading it, pleasurable page scrolling experience and more titles than you could possibly get through. I’ve never been so knowledgeable and I love it and credit it all to Blinkist!” –5-star review.“If you want to expand your knowledge and get inspiration, but are juggling too much, there is always time for Blinkist.” –5-star review.

Want to learn more effectively with Blinkist Guides? Download the Blinkist app to get started.

Vanessa Gibbs
About the writer
Vanessa Gibbs

Vanessa is a freelance writer living in London. When not at her laptop, she loves to run, travel and scuba dive wherever she can.

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What is Blinkist?

Blinkist is an app that transforms key insights from great nonfiction books into quick, easy-to-understand highlights. The reality is – everyone loves reading, but no one has the time. Blinkist fills this learning gap and makes acquiring new knowledge effortless.

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