tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175530035414490569.post8573206222610543854..comments2024-03-22T12:17:50.789+01:00Comments on The corridor of uncertainty: UnschoolingAlastair Creelmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437257475474703309noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175530035414490569.post-72598905168867903012009-09-06T11:07:31.290+02:002009-09-06T11:07:31.290+02:00Thanks Tara for your justified comments and I free...Thanks Tara for your justified comments and I freely admit that I haven't researched the subject in detail. Blogs do tend to be fairly spontaneous expressions of opinion and mine is no exception. But through dialogue you can learn to revise your initial opinions.<br /><br />The whole concept of children being schooled at home is extremely hard to understand here in Europe and I'm sure my scepticism is shared by many. <br /><br />Schools should encourage students to critical thinking and should be as free as possible from political or religious control. In addition it's not easy to opt for home schooling here since both parents are at work all day (even harder for single parents).<br /><br />In many cases I'm sure unschooling works and can be much more educational than the some parts of the school system (as you and the news article point out) but I still see the danger of parents with strong ideologies using this method to cut off their children from opposing viewpoints. Maybe I put too much emphasis on that fear in my post.<br /><br />I would like to see a school system that breaks out of the clessroom paradigm and really makes use of different learning environments. The whole home schooling movement can offer the school system over here food for thought and hopefully inspiration even if I see risks in taking children out of the system altogether.<br /><br />I will read more ....Alastair Creelmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15437257475474703309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1175530035414490569.post-90289793047728180342009-09-05T18:19:37.842+02:002009-09-05T18:19:37.842+02:00Wow. This post was riddled with misinformation.
F...Wow. This post was riddled with misinformation.<br /><br />First, not just "many" but in all 50 states parents are legally allowed to homeschool. And most people homeschool based off something other than "distrust" for state run institutions. I would wager for most it's based off doing what they feel is best for their kids.<br /><br />Next, homeschooling is not based on a curriculum decided by the school, nor is it mostly online. Homeschooling parents choose their own curriculum. In most states, the school district has little authority over homeschoolers, although in some states testing or reviews are required. Therefore, unschoolers aren't taking such a big leap by "opting out of that connection". (Not to mention how little that connection really offers in way of education in the first place.)<br /><br />To succeed with unschooling, parents simply need to be good parents, taking the time to facilitate and interact with their kids, answer questions and provide new and interesting opportunities within an already rich environment. This is the basic concept behind raising a child from birth to age 5 or 6 and in that time we watch them grow and learn exponentially without worry. Only schools have convinced us that their natural ability to learn will diminish if children are not "well-educted" (and anyone who has seen the by-product of public education can argue the "well-" part).<br /><br />Unschooling children are hardly deprived of interaction. In fact, because they aren't age-segregated or traped in a desk most of the day, their interactions are more meaningful and include people of all ages and backgrounds. They also learn that all people are equal, regardless of age. The socialization in schools only resemble one thing in the "real world" - prisons. Where else are you told when to pee or who to communicate with or shuffled around in lines and watched over with such distrust?<br /><br />"Indoctrinazation" is a laughable conclusion. It's hardly worth replying to, especially since the same thing can be said about any family or school, for that matter. And just ask my 10 year old about his political views or hear us debate our seperate stances and you'll know "indoctrinization" is a ludicrous idea when speaking of children who are taught to take responsibility for their own thoughts and not take their marching orders from a teacher (or a parent teaching).<br /><br />I would suggest some further reading, instead of basing your opinions off one article. Anything written by John Holt, including "How Children Fail" and "How Children Learn" are good to get you started. These articles may help give a new spin on it as well:<br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,432383,00.html<br /><br />http://www.greenstar.org/butterflies/Hole-in-the-Wall.htm<br /><br />http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn<br /><br />And I'll be the first to admit that an incredulous response when approached with the idea of unschooling is common. I know, although I was intrigued, I was dubious at first as well. But unschooling is hardly new (look into Summerhill school in the UK or Sudbury schools in the US) and the proof is in the pudding. <br /><br />:)<br /><br />~Tara<br />Unschooling "grad" and unschooling momTaranoreply@blogger.com