Finding Freedom- Unschooling

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Global [interconnected] Learning - by Construction

What results of 13+ years of learning by instruction ... when instruction ceases?

This video reveals an immense aspect of the [global] learning revolution that is NOW.

Learning Plan Self Design

Our son is old enough to develop his own learning plan.

He mentions how is sister annoys him...

We talked about the circle of life...

We talked... about how his sister will make him an uncle someday and he will make her an auntie.. how we will become grandpa and granny... Developing a long view.. Okay so something of interest to you, etc..

He suggested not having a sister, we told him the project about not having a sister.. not so sure about this one... "can you imagine not having your sister when you are doing that amazing improvisation with your stuffed characters...?" I guess you could put together a stuffed story and do it your self but .. might be more interesting if you let her have a part... we told him how we for some reason or another have chosen this life and the people we share it with...

See post: Something of Interest or Something You Care About

A Presentation Or a play... a show... an art project, music project?

We had to say goodnight...

We will sleep on it!

"so goodnight" and we reiterated the above question.. "I'm not even going to talk about.. gimme that pillow"

Will update you on this developing surprise...

An Introduction to Integrated Studies | Edutopia

Click the link above for the video

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The children making a new friend...Emanuela...the children did not speak the same language...it didn't matter at all.

Go Daddy GO!! This is the beautiful free public swimming spot.

All you can eat coconuts and plaintains out of Felix's gardens.

Volcan Arenal...This was the view out our cabina at Cabinas La Catarata. This was a family owned establishment the hospitality was wonderful. Felix and his wife were wonderful and very patient with their english speaking guests. We stayed for three weeks and swam in the local swimming hole which was a rushing river with beautiful waterfalls and a rope swing. La Fortuna is the town at the base of Volcan Arenal.

Enjoy the Journey

This free digital scrapbooking design customized with Smilebox

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Merging Unschooling and Video

Where the freeform learning philosophy of unschooling meets the potential of a free internet digital age - creates unlimited opportunity for the advancement of human development. This is the miracle of the internet. Next to actual experience, videos are of the most effective of learning tools. Videos can utilize actual video, actual sound, music from baroque to the latest in binaural brain entraining music, to nature sounds, to chosen photos, art, sketches, places, mind maps, animations, etc. This is just the beginning of this potential where ah-ha concepts have an outlet to reveal ideas through pure associative expression and subsequent impression. Within the use of such imagery media the depth of learning through context and connections provides infinitely greater understanding for intellect.

There are lots of videos I've seen recently that fit this criteria. I will be coming back to this post to include examples myself but in the meantime I welcome you to include your examples in the comments.

What Unschooling is not

We cannot tell you what unschooling is when the point of unschooling is to unleash the individual. Because to nurture self-expression and inspiration and find the unique individual purpose within, is different for everyone. This is the point.

We cannot tell you what unschooling is going to be for you and your children because unschooling is an individual experience. We can only refer to what unschooling is not. Each individual has a multitude of possibilities and inspirations. It is our role as parents to lend support and guidance so our children can realize their purpose as it comes to them.

This unfolding process can appear through examples and experiences, mentors. As long as you're there in support and as facilitator you offer opportunity to learn via freewill according to inner directive. That 'stewardship,' of our children, is the role as we see it, as parents. We learn as much from our children as we expect them to learn from us.

Unschooling is not instructive but constructive. Unschooling is not curriculum nor assessment based but more about becoming, about faith in natural processes unfolding, rites of certain passage. The best we can do most of the time is get out the way. Unschooling is not a rat-race but self-paced. Unschooling is not competitive but cooperative. Unschooling does not sacrifice the individual for the whole but waters the roots to enjoy the fruits..

Missing component in Education today

One critical missing component of typical education today is a focus on the development of Emotional Intelligence. You have probably heard of it. It ultimately has to do with the empowerment phase necessary of balanced education. This is opposed as you know to disempowerment. People who are achieved in emotional intelligence can actually put knowledge to work effectively. Those with limited experience in this area accumulate knowledge in the left brain while the right brain gets a headache. Connections become lost due to fragmented understanding. As coursework was taught to them in fragmented ways so goes the confused, undeveloped in emotional development and disempowered not knowing why. By designing the modern-cultural aspects of education devoid of relevant connection with emotional intelligence, modern culture is, by-design neutered. .. Devoid of the tools necessary for its' own empowerment. . Something critical to us all, at such rapidly transitory times.. We must evolve and Adapt. An immediate good first step could be a degree of Unschooling for all teachers with emphasis and inclusion to learning how to bring E.I. to the class.