For those who are interested in learning and developing their own knowledge/skillset from home, building a home learning lab is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. A home learning lab is essentially a space where you can use your computer/laptop to create a learning environment in which you can quickly and easily learn about virtually any subject.
This can be useful for almost any application/profession, and so is a worthy long-term investment. Here are some of the ways to go about setting one up.
Computer/Laptop
The main component in a home learning lab is a computer/laptop, as this is where you will be doing research and learning about the subjects you are interested in. Given that the environment is dedicated to learning, you will need plenty of space on your hard drive as well as a decent amount of RAM (preferably 16GB) to allow your device to store the information you need as well as function at an optimal level.
If you are going to build your own, then you will no doubt need to look at more specific electronic components, which could be provided by a supplier like RS. Many people choose to upgrade their existing computer (this is much cheaper), but buying a new one specifically for the lab also has its advantages.
Virtualization
You may also want to look into virtualization to help you to create the ideal home learning lab, as it allows you to make a single computer/laptop to perform the function of multiple machines. In essence, it creates a simulated environment in which the machine’s resources are evenly distributed between each virtual machine, allowing you to maximize its capabilities without having to buy more equipment.
This is normally done through an established virtualization platform, although it is worth bearing in mind that some are costlier than others.
Environment
Finally, you will want to make sure that the immediate environment surrounding your lab and set up to help you learn. This may mean trying to ensure that it is as quiet as possible, as well as laid out in an optimal way so that you can easily reach everything you need.
To this end, you may want to consider some soundproofing, as well as finding some small storage units for keeping essentials close at hand (paper, pens, stationery).
Building your own home learning lab shouldn’t be too difficult as long as you plan it out well. Once it is up and running, you’ll be able to easily access the information you need and optimize your learning.