<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15029646/>
The problem discussed in this article is the effectiveness of a new education method for homeschooling called "Unschooling". The process is that the children pick what they want to learn at what times. It is almost encouraged that the children change frequently. The problem that some people have with this method is that some children may not be getting all of the education that they need. Another problem discussed is that the education may be coming from uneducated parents.
The author doesn't necessarily offer a solution to the problem. He does state that he realizes that this form of schooling is not for everyone. Not only do the parents have to have the time, but they have to be as he puts it "Intellectually Curious".
I'm actually at odds with whether I agree or disagree with the thought of Unschooling. I do see the good points of children not being forced to learn things that they might not be ready for and at their own pace. Not only could this type of education be more interactive for them, it gives those who might need more assistance a very one-on-one education. But I also disagree with it because children could be sent to college completely unprepared. There are many things that I did not want to learn, that I hated going to class for. But without those classes I would have been completely behind for any kind of higher education. This author did have a great point that you would have to look at the parents that would be doing the educating. Also integrating the children into public schooling when they are prepared is a great idea. In my opinion it may be a good way to start, but unless the parent is well educated, I wonder whether this form of education would be that effective.
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Just a note, this is certainly not a "new" way of educating! Unschooling in it's modern form has been around since the 70's.
ReplyDeleteOh, it can work. I'm an unschooler myself, and I have met literally hundreds of unschooling families, both with young children and teenagers. Many, many, unschoolers go on to university and do wonderfully! And as for the fact that only highly educated parents can unschool "successfully", I must disagree. Many unschooling parents have university educations, but many do not. I don't see ANY difference in how "educated" children from those two different groups are. It's just not an issue.
If you'd like to find out more about unschooling, I invite you to check out my blog, http://yes-i-can-write.blogspot.com/, and especially to check out an interview I did, located on the sidebar.
Peace,
Idzie
I don't think I like the idea. People are already in a frenzy about reforming the American school systems, it seems strange to let it become a free-for-all. I think it's good to allow children the extra activities in their interests, but I do think that there needs to be structure. If I had been "unschooled" and got to choose what I wanted to learn, I most definitely would not have learned math. Or at least not beyond the bare minimum. Life is filled with things we don't want to do but that doesn't mean they aren't necessary.
ReplyDeleteI saw this "unschooling" thing on an episode of Wife-Swap. I think it is a dumb idea. If people did that it would throw out the basic needs test. Another thing that is bad about this idea is that how does the kid know what he wants to know? The teacher has been there and done that, they know what you need in life and what is useful. A little kid should not be able to pick what they learn because they do not know what they need to know to prepare themselves for life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is a good idea at all. What young kid is able to make such a decision. Everyday people do things that they don't want to its just a part of life.
ReplyDeletei dont think the kids should be able to choose what they learn and when. i think this should be set and the parents should be "teaching" them not following them.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens if a kid doesn't want to learn required material? How can you expect a child to pick everything they need to learn for higher education? To me it seems like there are far to many loop holes to make this an effective learning style.
ReplyDeleteI don't really agree with any type of home schooling. Children need that interaction with peers. I agree with you about this type of education will not help them get ready for higher learning.
ReplyDeleteTo Nat, I totally agree with you. Without the pressure from a structured education I would never have learned what was required of me for college when it came to math.
ReplyDeleteTo Ryan, I also agree with the fact that kids do not know what they want to or need to learn. When I was five, I thought the world was all about coloring.
To kabauer, I do agree with the fact that kids do need interaction with their peers. With this type of homeschooling, the kids do get their own interaciton with other people, just not as much with those their own age. It does make me wonder though if that would give them more of a mature edge over their peers or a defecit with them not having the same experiences.
I like the fact that they will be able to decide what they want to learn at a certain age. Once they get into high school i think that all of the kids should be able to learn what they want to. Not necessarily the time though. If they get to decide the time, I don't think they would ever go.
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