Comments on: Professional Schools and Self-Directed Learning http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/01/18/professional-schools-and-self-directed-learning/ Weblog of Wesley Fryer Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Breanna Hite http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/01/18/professional-schools-and-self-directed-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-65354 Breanna Hite Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:34:48 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/?p=3322#comment-65354 How do you think that could be accomplished? I think that the reason large numbers of students find school so boring is because it is so dependent. There's no interest in knowing that you just have to sit quietly for a few moments before the practically-rhetorical question the teacher asked is patiently answered by the teacher. How do you think that could be accomplished?

I think that the reason large numbers of students find school so boring is because it is so dependent. There’s no interest in knowing that you just have to sit quietly for a few moments before the practically-rhetorical question the teacher asked is patiently answered by the teacher.

]]> By: tsakshaug http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/01/18/professional-schools-and-self-directed-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-65338 tsakshaug Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:20:29 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/?p=3322#comment-65338 On my blog http://tsakshaug-nonesense.blogspot.com/ I have a couple of posts regarding PBL that may fit in with this discussion. Questioning how it is done and how to evaluate On my blog http://tsakshaug-nonesense.blogspot.com/ I have a couple of posts regarding PBL that may fit in with this discussion. Questioning how it is done and how to evaluate

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/01/18/professional-schools-and-self-directed-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-65288 Wesley Fryer Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:24:56 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/?p=3322#comment-65288 Kristi: Your comments remind me of some of the things I've read by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Caldwell_Holt" rel="nofollow">John Holt</a>. One of the greatest dangers in sending our children to public or private schools is that their natural curiosity and love of learning will be quashed and stolen from them by a system which generally values conformity and homogeneity over creativity and individual expression. I agree that the CONTROL issue is at the heart of things, both for schools and for parents. Glad you and your child's teacher are taking a reasonable approach toward school performance timelines. Kristi: Your comments remind me of some of the things I’ve read by John Holt. One of the greatest dangers in sending our children to public or private schools is that their natural curiosity and love of learning will be quashed and stolen from them by a system which generally values conformity and homogeneity over creativity and individual expression. I agree that the CONTROL issue is at the heart of things, both for schools and for parents. Glad you and your child’s teacher are taking a reasonable approach toward school performance timelines.

]]> By: kirsti http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/01/18/professional-schools-and-self-directed-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-65272 kirsti Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:06:38 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/?p=3322#comment-65272 So how to create self directed learners at the earlier levels of education. I hear you, loud and clear, as a college professor and from some material I have read, there is also a gendered effect in terms of who is going to be the more dependent learners. I would say though, that there is such pressure at such a young age for kids to 'get it right' that this translates into 'just tell me what you want' or my own favorite ' open your brain and download it into mine.'It infuriates me and now as a mother of two young ones who delight in 'doing it themselves' I wonder how to hold onto that sentiment. Recently I was in my parent-teacher meeting and was asked if I was concerned about my son's (kindergarten) lack of progress with reading, his 'academic advancement'. My sons have spent their early education years in waldorf schools where it is all student directed. I responded, ' the most important thing is his love of learning and holding onto his curiosity. He will read in his own time because he loves books and he wants to read, but no, I am not concerned about his schedule.' His teacher was relieved because she too believes students should lead the way, but unfortunately, I think many times she finds herself in just the opposite situation. So perhaps if we want self directed learners and thinkers, we need less controlling parents.... So how to create self directed learners at the earlier levels of education. I hear you, loud and clear, as a college professor and from some material I have read, there is also a gendered effect in terms of who is going to be the more dependent learners. I would say though, that there is such pressure at such a young age for kids to ‘get it right’ that this translates into ‘just tell me what you want’ or my own favorite ‘ open your brain and download it into mine.’It infuriates me and now as a mother of two young ones who delight in ‘doing it themselves’ I wonder how to hold onto that sentiment. Recently I was in my parent-teacher meeting and was asked if I was concerned about my son’s (kindergarten) lack of progress with reading, his ‘academic advancement’. My sons have spent their early education years in waldorf schools where it is all student directed. I responded, ‘ the most important thing is his love of learning and holding onto his curiosity. He will read in his own time because he loves books and he wants to read, but no, I am not concerned about his schedule.’ His teacher was relieved because she too believes students should lead the way, but unfortunately, I think many times she finds herself in just the opposite situation. So perhaps if we want self directed learners and thinkers, we need less controlling parents….

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