Unschooled

Back in college, I was a big fan of the movie Higher Learning. At the end of the film, just before the credits, the screen went black and one word appeared in big white letters: "Unlearn." Though the movie was set in college, it was mostly about race relations and what the director wanted us to unlearn was our prejudice.

Well, now it really is about unlearning what we have learned in school. There is a new movement called unschooling. The first I'd heard about it was in an article from today's New York Times. "Home Schoolers Content to Take Children’s Lead" didn't provide much information on unschooling but it piqued my interest. So, I headed to the most trusted source of information on the web... Wikipedia. Here's how Wikipedia defines unschooling:

Unschooling is a form of education in which learning is based on the student's interests, needs, and goals. It may be alternatively referred to as natural learning, child-led learning, discovery learning, autodidactic learning, or child-directed learning.

Unschooling contrasts with homeschooling in that the student's education is not directed by a teacher and curriculum. Although an unschooling student may choose to make use of teachers or curricula, s/he is ultimately in control of his/her own education. The student chooses how, when, why, and what s/he learns. Parents who unschool their children act as "facilitators" and provide a wide range of resources, instruction and support. Unschooling begins with a child's natural curiosity and expands from there, as an extension of his/her own personal interests and needs.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. How can a child know what he wants to learn when he hasn't experienced very much? I was and still am a slow reader. I wonder, had I not been forced to read in school, would I have spent my life avoiding all unnecessary reading? If so, I would have missed out on so many wonderful stories, so many ideas that have changed the way I think. I like the idea that unschooling creates a love of learning but I worry that it limits children too much. Currently, I am no expert on schooling or unschooling so my opinion is just that. If I do end up in education again,* I'll revisit this topic... because in five to ten years, Where is my mind? will still be going strong!


*Magic 8-ball says: Signs point to yes.