Every year, millions of people resolve to learn a new skill. As online learning is a growing industry, they have many options to get started. There are thousands of websites, agencies, and institutions that offer classes in any subject imaginable, and many of them are even free.
However, adults often struggle with motivation. It’s harder for them to stick to learning programs. Adults have less time than kids and students because of their work and family commitments. Another major factor is that they have fallen out of the habit of studying. Their daily activities consist more of doing, not learning.
Adult learning can, in short, become overwhelming. That leads to high drop-out rates, which, in turn, can cause low self-esteem in those who are not successful. While some are struggling, others have found tech-savvy solutions to reduce their learning anxiety.
Gamification as a Learning Tool for Adults
It’s known that a supportive environment builds confidence and self-assurance. It helps learners overcome their fears and makes it easier to achieve their goals. Gamification can help create that supportive environment in various ways.
- Gaming is, by its nature, a competitive environment. Gamification ups the stakes in learning by creating a sense of competition and urgency.
- Gamification makes the subject matter more interesting, fun, and engaging. It keeps adults committed to the learning process. Some apps use timed challenges and point systems to help learners feel they’re succeeding.
- Usually, courses that use gamification to connect the learning material to real-life situations have a higher success rate. For example, language learning can become more effective if students have the opportunity to speak it in simulated or life-like surroundings.
- Gamification can help to break down complex concepts into smaller chunks. That helps learners to master the basics first. Thereafter, they can weave the building blocks into a larger, more complex picture.
- Gamified learning is an effective tool to test and reinforce prior learning.
- Gaming and gamified apps are getting more recognition for instilling problem-solving skills, improving critical thinking, and honing decision-making skills.
Examples of Using Gamification in Adult Education
The mobile gaming market is somewhat overrun with low-quality apps and games. It’s hard to find a winner in the educational genre. There are far more learning tools for kids than for adults, which further limits the options.
Thankfully, this picture is changing slowly as the mobile gaming industry matures. We have a short list of wonderful apps for adult learners that will entertain as well as educate.
Beware The Mobile Learning App Scene
While we’re excited about the increase in adult learning apps, app stores are, unfortunately, a haven for data-hungry marketers, scammers, and even malware in disguise. Keep in mind that apps are a way for developers to generate an income, so their apps usually host in-app ads. Try to choose learning apps that won’t bombard you with intrusive ads or use a paid ad-free version. Also, check if the app does not ask for unnecessary access to every function on your phone.
Before you venture into this space, think about installing a mobile VPN to protect you. A VPN encrypts your online activities to prevent hackers from accessing the data while you’re online. It also provides a measure of anonymity to secure you from digital spying. As a bonus, some premium VPNs provide a better user experience by blocking intrusive ads.
6 Educational Apps for Adults
Before downloading any app, always check its reputation and don’t blindly agree to app permissions. Ready? Let’s start your online learning odyssey 2025.
1. Yousician
Have you always wanted to learn how to play an instrument? Yousician is a brilliant concept. You select the instrument, choose a level and the lesson or song you’re interested in. Yousician plays the music and displays the song tutorial. Then you give it a try.
It will give you an instant score and feedback. There are several easier levels, but as you improve you can unlock progressively more difficult stages. Yousician’s immediate feedback interacts with you as you play. For example, if you strike a chord too soon, it will let you know in real-time. You can track your progress (and feel proud), and even upload your own compositions to the app.
2. NASA app collection
If you love technology and space, come in from the cold with NASA’s range of thrilling apps. The NASA Technology Innovation app focuses on innovations and project developments in NASA’s space endeavors. NASA’s Spot the Station app has real-time location views, visibility data, and push notifications for when the space station becomes visible overhead. NASA Selfies creates mock-ups of you in a spacesuit exploring space and technology. The Sound of Space features interviews with experts and podcasts with leading scientists. Space Images delivers hot-off-the-press, awe-inspiring images of planets, galaxies, and asteroids.
One of the best is NASA Spinoff. It charts examples of NASA technology that have been adapted into commercial products. Think satellite systems and hospital robots. As they say: “There’s more space in your life than you think.”
3. CodeacademyGo
Basic coding may become as important as basic computer literacy in the future. And of course, higher-level coding is a highly desirable skill in the marketplace. Don’t get left behind. Dip your feet in the water with CodeacademyGo. It is a code-learning app aimed at beginners. Since coding and the IT industry are such a wide field, you can start with introductory classes in several different coding fields and follow the learning paths as you make progress.
CodeacademyGo offers basic web development coding languages such as HTML and CSS and then sends you on your way with more advanced classes like Python, Javascript, SQL and more.
4. Brilliant
If you are battling to keep up with your kids’ homework maths, here’s a way for you to brush up. Dust off those dry concepts with Brilliant’s maths courses. You can start from scratch at level 1 with foundational maths introductory courses, and get better at solving equations, visual algebra, graphs and functions, and far more. They also have a “Real World Algebra” course that will have you sitting up straight and breathing excitedly to finally beat your old enemy: school maths. Brilliant also offers courses in programming, data analysis, and other popular fields.
5. MFA Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (iPad only)
Archaeology buffs and coin collectors: rejoice! Here’s a way to get a close look at ancient currency. This app allows zooming, panning, and flipping your way through over 250 ancient Greek and Roman coins. It’s based on the collection in the new Michael C. Ruettgers Gallery for Ancient Coins in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. You can learn more about the emperors and city-states behind the money and put each coin into historical context with a full-clad timeline feature ranging from 650 BC to AD 375.
6. Historical Calendar (Android only)
The Historical Calendar keeps track of notable events on any day in history. It covers events in chronological order from ancient times to modern-day history. There’s a historical event of the day and notes about births, deaths, and the historical background of holidays. It’s well-referenced and can be used as a pocket library. You can save, share, or export articles and test your knowledge with quizzes.
May Online Adult Learning Flourish!
Online courses are the most time-efficient way for adults to learn new skills. Sessions can fit in short wedges of time while going about other responsibilities of the grown-up life. Fortunately, mobile learning for adults is finally going mainstream in a big way. Jump right in, but be sure to always stay secure on your online connections.