Unschooling thoughts
Hi again!
I was just reading a post on Cindy's blog (http://www.itisaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/) regarding her thoughts on unschooling, which led me to think a little about my own thoughts on the topic. For what they're worth, here they are:
Hi Cindy,I really enjoyed your thoughts on unschooling - above all, because they made me think about my own opinions on such matters!While my opinions don't have the experience of parenting behind them (I often wonder what effect that would have, lol), I thought I'd share some other thoughts sparked by your post.
I think the fundamental point that occurred to me in all of this, is that the most important thing one can ever teach is behaviours, and the values that inform those behaviours. Knowledge is pointless in itself - it only ever acquires meaning when applied to a particular purpose. Which is where the behaviours and values come in; the key thing is not to know how to do something, but what to do with it.
Examples of this from your post would be your comments about conversation (I tend to think it's one of the best things for a person). I think that good conversation is an essential in any good education - studying from books cannot give the connection to real life that discussion with other people provides. And, of course, in a proper two-way conversation, it's much easier to give people material for thought as well as habits of thought.Also, a good conversation teaches respect for other people's opinions and can often share their enthusiasm - it's very hard to talk to somebody sharing their passion without becoming interested myself. (I'm hoping other people are the same, rather than me being strange!)
Re directing, scheduling, making children study, this ties in with the point about behaviours and values over content.If parents push "important" content on their children (as is often done in schools, too), then what behaviours are being taught?
First, obedience over initiative - the individual's perspective is less important than that of an authority figure. Thus, you should wait to be told what is important.
Second, you have to do things because you are forced - not because you want to. This then teaches a lesson of inactivity at a personal level, or else performance to others' standards. It does not teach people to do what they believe is right, simply because they believe it. I tend to think that this is the only sustainable foundation for anything useful (virtue, happiness, respect, "success").
Third, the content itself is being learnt not for its own sake, but simply to satisfy someone else's requirements. This is similar to cramming for an exam - in both cases, the information is remembered long enough to meet the external need, but then discarded because it isn't considered relevant to the individual.
Just a few thoughts of my own; I'm sure when I have children I'll be completely different, lol!
Luke
I was just reading a post on Cindy's blog (http://www.itisaboutthejourney.blogspot.com/) regarding her thoughts on unschooling, which led me to think a little about my own thoughts on the topic. For what they're worth, here they are:
Hi Cindy,I really enjoyed your thoughts on unschooling - above all, because they made me think about my own opinions on such matters!While my opinions don't have the experience of parenting behind them (I often wonder what effect that would have, lol), I thought I'd share some other thoughts sparked by your post.
I think the fundamental point that occurred to me in all of this, is that the most important thing one can ever teach is behaviours, and the values that inform those behaviours. Knowledge is pointless in itself - it only ever acquires meaning when applied to a particular purpose. Which is where the behaviours and values come in; the key thing is not to know how to do something, but what to do with it.
Examples of this from your post would be your comments about conversation (I tend to think it's one of the best things for a person). I think that good conversation is an essential in any good education - studying from books cannot give the connection to real life that discussion with other people provides. And, of course, in a proper two-way conversation, it's much easier to give people material for thought as well as habits of thought.Also, a good conversation teaches respect for other people's opinions and can often share their enthusiasm - it's very hard to talk to somebody sharing their passion without becoming interested myself. (I'm hoping other people are the same, rather than me being strange!)
Re directing, scheduling, making children study, this ties in with the point about behaviours and values over content.If parents push "important" content on their children (as is often done in schools, too), then what behaviours are being taught?
First, obedience over initiative - the individual's perspective is less important than that of an authority figure. Thus, you should wait to be told what is important.
Second, you have to do things because you are forced - not because you want to. This then teaches a lesson of inactivity at a personal level, or else performance to others' standards. It does not teach people to do what they believe is right, simply because they believe it. I tend to think that this is the only sustainable foundation for anything useful (virtue, happiness, respect, "success").
Third, the content itself is being learnt not for its own sake, but simply to satisfy someone else's requirements. This is similar to cramming for an exam - in both cases, the information is remembered long enough to meet the external need, but then discarded because it isn't considered relevant to the individual.
Just a few thoughts of my own; I'm sure when I have children I'll be completely different, lol!
Luke
posted by Luke at 8:35 PM
5 Comments:
hey luke! sounds v cool, keep up da good work!
Anthony
Mum this time ...:-)
Obedience however can be a virtue -not blind obedience but obedience to proper authoority. You almost make obedience sound less thn a virtue!
Maybe, too, in doing what we aught and not what we want, we develop some inner self discipline and some tenacity and control of will.
What do you think?
Hi Leonie and Luke-
Yes, obedience is not a bad thing. I see Luke's point though (the way I read it) that if it is the overwhelming factor in a child's education (the whats but not the whys-- and them having no say in either) then the education is in no way theirs.
I think it is a fine line. Perhaps that is where the art of parenting comes in. The virtues of our faith are the perfect human solution (with divine source). Kind of like the freedom that we all have in the rules of our faith. Obeidence gives us freedom.
I think, too, the mutual respect, enthusiam for sharing our passions (as Luke described) will also show our dc how we apply interal discipline to our lives.
I think I am agreeing with you both! lol
Cindy, you are so nice to agree with us both! :-)
I think there is a fine line - do you think we achieed that in your hokeschooling, Luke? Inquiring minds want to know.....
Mum/Leonie
Wow! Typos!
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