Read Julia's post on learning principles.
Very interesting.
Julia is quoting the book A Thomas Jefferson Education and is discussing four of the seven learning principles apparently mentioned in the book -
1)Use classics
2) Inspire, not require
3) You, not them
4) Structure time, not content
Now, I am not sure I agree fully with these principles. Each has value but so does part of the opposite principle. For example, while I aim to inspire , I also see no harm in requiring, sometimes. And I am not sure about NOT structuring content - there is definitely some content that I'd like to run past my children. Plus, I am fond of the idea of children ( sometimes?) structuring their own time - a learning time happening at any time.
However, the principles, and Julia's informative posts, are making me think.
Reading these sorts of ideas keeps me on my toes, educationally speaking.
And that is important for a mother-educator, don't you think?
8 comments:
LOL, Leonie, I'm constantly analyzing things and injecting: "But what about...." I think I make Sabine nuts with it. You are right, of course. Also, while the classics are, well, classic ;-) there are countless great modern resources also.
Hi Leonie,
Ya know, the longer I do this...or the older that I get, the more I find myself less able to sum things up in neat little boxes. ~LOL~
Maybe this set of 4 principles is good as a starting point...or good for younger children but as the children get older I find that it is necessary to require of them...and it's necessary to structure time and content but with the goal of teaching them how to do it for themselves. The goal is that they will learn these skills and be able to be self governed. But, as I said, I'm finding this as my girls get older, not necessarily for the boys.
And classics, well I'm all for some of them...it's taken me awhile to realise that even though they are classics doesn't mean my children have to read them all...there are too many good resources around nowadays to limit ourselves to. But they are my thoughts, and I haven't even read the OP yet! How slack is that??
Leonie, thanks for linking to my post. That post is one of a series on TJE. When taking that post out of context, it looks like things are a bit lopsided. If you put all of the parts together, I think it addresses some of the concerns you have. That being said, I am learning after hsing for 3 yrs. that there is not one method that is going to meet my family's needs. I am learning to take what I like from a method and use that aspect of it. As a result, I consider myself an eclectic hs'er. Alot of TJE resonates within me. I like the quest for a leadership education. I like the mentoring aspect of it, etc. But the parts I don't like, then I throw it away. I am making up my own method of hsing-one that will work with my kids. I think there are many of us who homeschool in this fashion.
Thanks for your comment, Julia. I definitely get the impression from your blog that you have a really tailored method of homeschooling.I love your posts - thinkers and keepers. :-)
For me, "Inspire not Require" is more about modeling desired behaviors....in other words, not requiring modes of learning you are not also willing to pursue.
Hoping this conversation continues.
Hmm - yes and no. I think it depends on the child and his/her needs. I aim to inspire learning by being a learning model myself but also have no compunctions about requiring work.
Beate - we are twins wrt the thinkin and analyzing. :-)
I'm with you both ( Susan and Beate) on classics - they are good but we also do not wish to ignore the value of some modern authors, the influence of movies and technology. And, as Susan points out, no one person has to read all the classics from a particular list - maybe exposure is what I am thinking of here?
But Julia's posts and TJE make me think - and that is good for keeping me on my toes and out of my box. :-)
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