Monday 12 March 2012

Learning the old fashioned way; autonomous education, the oldest method in the world

One of the most endearing features of autonomous home educators in both this country and the USA is the way that many of them seem to be convinced that they are doing something daring and revolutionary by leaving their kids to learn what they wish. They apparently believe that this is a radical idea; that they are on the cutting edge of educational theory! Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact there is something rather quaint about those who choose to adopt this antiquated method of educating their children.

Modern humans have been around for at least 10,000 years. Until perhaps 3000 years ago, there was nothing at all like a modern school. For the first 97% of humanity’s existence, home education was the only game in town. Gradually, the idea of sending children to be educated by strangers became popular. It was a slow process. In Elizabethan England, only about one child in eight attended school; all of them boys. In other words, as recently as the 16th century, only one child in sixteen in this country went to school. Things continued in this way for another three hundred years or so. Most children were educated at home. One of the commonest ways of undertaking this was to let the children themselves choose what to learn; or indeed whether they wished to learn anything at all. The best way to see how this worked is to look at a fictionalised account of home education in the early part of the 19th century. Pride and Prejudice is generally reckoned to give a good picture of life among the upper classes at that time. Here is Elizabeth Bennet describing the education which she and her four sisters received;

Such of us as wished to learn, never wanted the means. We were always
Encouraged to read…those who chose to be idle, certainly might.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that this sort of education, especially for girls, was very common at that time. As for the ordinary working class child; home education was almost universal.

As a matter of fact, it is universal, compulsory schooling which is the radical alternative in education; not home education, which has been around for at least a hundred thousand years. Those who choose this path are not blazing some new trail, but turning backwards to an older way of life. They put one in mind of the American Amish, who prefer to follow a deliberately archaic way of life. The one thing that radical unschoolers and autonomous educators are not is revolutionary.

44 comments:

  1. Those unschoolers and autonomous educators are pretty selective in what they tell you about their methods. When you can enquire deeper into methods and techniques used in the autonomous and unschooling approach to education, children appear to be left to spend hour after hour at the PC.
    The Amish comparison is interesting, particularly when you consider the increasingly popular use of right wing religious computer resourses in home ed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 'radical unschoolers and autonomous educators'
    IMHE...hardly, they haven't got the drive, imagination or the financial resourses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The main proponent of unschooling and autonomy MF-W. He's more than happy to flog you a book or two on the subject..it pays his rent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "They put one in mind of the American Amish"

    Good point.

    You couldn't help but notice the home educating mothers sporting some rather impressive facial hair.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yeah, chattering class network convinced they're doing something daring and revolutionary and then discussing it ad nauseam on he-uk.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those unschooling and autonomous 'educating' parents also turn out to be the most aggressive. There is certainly more than just a hint of sociopathic behaviour when you encounter them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've come across some very judgemental autonomous home ed families and their kids seem to be hideous bullies. Of course this is allowed, as long as their child isn't on the receiving end!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Of course, MF-W would never collate the statistics of autonoumously educated children being such horrendous bullies, he'd only do that regarding the school system.
    Many people do know the unquestionable truth in what you say but it's the dirty little secret of HE and the issue stays hidden often squashed..It's plain to see that the parents of such children are right up there on the sociopath/psychopath score chart, they'll openly admit that they believe society's rules don't apply to them or their offspring. MF-W has said such things. Some of those parents managed to climb pretty high up in home ed circles, through attending the camps, meets and conferences and creating cliques and gangs and gossip circles.
    MF_W has been pretty snide and aggressive himself, during his long lasting mission to become a HE internet guru. I've witnessed him play in a very nasty manipulative manner, the guy will lie through his teeth when it suits him.
    The sad truth is, he's been playing the home ed community for fools for years, and it would've been rather profitable for him if he'd had better business skills and advice..

    ReplyDelete
  9. The truth is that the home ed scene was taken over by 'right on' home education politics..and amateur HE politicians. That 'right on' manifesto was quickly replaced by a developing form of home ed fascism, where you must be seen to agree with the TCS, vegetarian and autonomous HE direction rigorously stipulated by MF-W and others. It targeted the families that were new to home ed and was spread by a relatively new electronic media..the net. If you didn't agree with them by 100% they couldn't really handle the dissent and took to using class barriers, stonewalling and isolation tactics.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bear in mind that some of these amateur HE politicians are still very, very active. They've been behind the consultation meetings in many areas and have supplanted their opinions and voices over those of the people living in the area, there has been no consultation with the grass roots home ed community and a home ed cabal with a 'left/right wing' agenda has been running riot, high on their own delusions of self grandeur.
    Badman was never an issue or threat to HE, the socioeconomic climate ensured that Badman nor anyone else was ever a threat to HE..it was easy to spot a political bluff led by MPs who needed to be seen to be 'acting in the interests of child welfare', but it was only acting..if the MPs had been really serious they'd have had all the loopholes sewn tight.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous (who, going by their IP address, is talking to themselves) said,

    "vegetarian and autonomous HE direction rigorously stipulated by MF-W and others."

    MF-W isn't vegetarian! How well do you know him?

    ReplyDelete
  12. 'MF-W isn't vegetarian! How well do you know him?'
    Well enough to remember him when he was..wore it on his sleeve as I recall, and down his chest.
    This IP snooping hobby of yours really proves the point I was making about HE fascism. In the EU it's considered as a breach of data protection law.

    ReplyDelete
  13. But not well enough to know that he is no longer vegetarian? And I certainly don't remember him being aggressive about vegetarianism. I met him several times at barbecues that involved meat and vegetarian choices whilst he was still vegetarian and he didn't say a word about other people eating meat.

    Maybe you should have a word with Simon if you are concerned about access to IP addresses, since he chooses to make them available. I notice you don't dispute the fact that you are talking to yourself.

    I doubt it would be considered a breach of data protection law, otherwise how is it freely available to anyone who bothers to look? I didn't have to break any laws to find out that you are talking to yourself. The IP address of anyone who visits a UK web site is made available to the web site owner by their ISP (unless the visitor takes measures to hide their IP address), so you are either wrong, or all UK ISPs are breaking the law.

    I think you are confusing people stating and discussing their own views with someone who has the power to control what others say and do. The most MF-W and other email list owners can do is throw someone off an email list. They cannot force you to agree with them or do anything you don't want to do, so how are they fascists? I'd be interested to hear how MF-W managed to force you to become vegetarian against your will!

    ReplyDelete
  14. 'well enough to remember him when he was'

    ReplyDelete
  15. Talking to myself eh?
    I can understand why you MF-W followers/fans might like to try to paint that picture.
    However, some might say I was putting forward a point of view or a warning that many home educators are getting increasingly aggressive and their children bullies. Some might recognise that I was raising a point or warning about HE control freaks and their sociopathic behaviour.
    And...commenting regarding experience about not trusting someone who lies through his teeth and is more than prepared to throw someone off 'his' list merely because they don't follow an unwritten doctrine.

    By the way...the point above, made on April 13th, that comment made it all worthwhile.

    ReplyDelete
  16. And...now you might care to explain just what you're doing with all the ISPs that you're looking up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous wrote,
    "throw someone off 'his' list"

    Why the apostrophes around his? Are you suggesting it's not his list? If you hadn't already realised, that's the way the internet, and email lists in particular, work. You can throw anyone of a list you start for any reason you like or for no reason at all. But for what it's worth, every time I've heard that someone has been thrown off his list and is crying foul, it's always turned out that they broke one of the rules that are made clear when you sign up to the list. He doesn't need to lie, it has always been there in black and white (or whatever colours you have your screen set to) in the list archives, available for anyone to read.

    It's probably true that some people manage to avoid ejection despite not following the rules to the letter, but that's the way the world works. People often get away with crime in the real world but it doesn't mean that those that get sent to prison don't deserve it.

    I'm not doing anything with the ISPs I've looked up. There's not a lot anyone can do with such details without a court order. It's not that useful to know that someone uses Blueyonder as their ISP, or that their ISP's computer is in Birmingham, for instance, so it's not information I would bother to gather and keep. Why not have a look yourself if you are interested. You can also read such thrilling details such as the web browser people use or their screen resolution. ;-)

    http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=s24bibles&r=0

    ReplyDelete
  18. You, by obtaining ISPs are able to access/hack E-mail accounts, possibly personal data, financial data and addresses. It's quite disturbing that you're now able to steal my identity and commit fraud. You state that you have a working knowledge regarding ISPs, browsers and using websites that are tools for phishing. I consider it a clear threat that you're involved in cyberstalking and initiating online mobbing.
    Far from being interested in screen resoloution I presume that you feel the need to gather ISP information to intimidate and initiate/organise criminal activity against me.
    A clear indication of HE bullying.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Cant say I really understand the point most of the other Anonymous posters are making. I agree with: "The one thing that radical unschoolers and autonomous educators are not is revolutionary."

    Its true that within the history of education these ideas arent particularly radical at all. BUT, it is a radical stance in our current circumstances where people are more likely to follow the herd

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ive just stumbled on this site and am confused by its tone and purpose. It seems that the blogger stands in judgement if everyone andni one breath states autonomous education is cult-like and in the next breadth it's the way we all lived for thousands of years. Seems contradictory as cults are usually a minority pursuit.

    Anyway, I am new to HE and have decided to go the autonomous route because it's right for my son. I have other children in school, although I'd prefer they weren't but they have made their decision. I have no interest in what others do or what they think of me, I merely trawl the Internet for ideas and advice. As far as bullying goes, well it is perfectly possible and I would add, the norm, to have an autonomous household and still hold dear to conventional moral values and socially acceptable behaviour.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am in fact thankful to the holder of this site who has shared
    this wonderful post at at this place.

    Here is my web page - premium-bookmarks.de
    Also see my site: how does quantrim works

    ReplyDelete
  22. You can enjoy a truly healthy and refreshing glass of fruit or vegetable drink
    with this smart juicer. Suddenly, this mixer appears more imposing.
    David Denholm is a professional internet marketer, a dedicated writer and a fervent researcher.


    Feel free to visit my homepage: juicers
    Also see my website > www.bje200xljuicer.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that
    you ought to write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss these subjects.

    To the next! Kind regards!!

    my blog ... HTTP://Gol.hourb.com/index.php?do=/profile-1632/info/

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dubai’s international appeal may come from its palatial hotels and
    buildings, but what makes tourists stay is the idea of having their own splendid tropical villa.
    Ethnic and carved furniture are used that provides sophistication
    and trend. She has diverse experience on working on many projects in India and Internationally.


    Also visit my web-site ... free home interior ideas

    ReplyDelete
  25. Present day individuals are extremely a lot aware of their taste and possibilities.
    In case your daughter is somewhat older, you
    may need to buy a little desk or desk for her to implement.

    For those who are overlooking the decorative value of windows then you
    are generating a big blunder.

    Look into my blog; dining room decorations

    ReplyDelete
  26. Grab a pen and notebook and start writing down all the
    reasons you should lose weight. Article Source: but not least, be sure to check
    out this Shakeology review, it's my favorite meal replacement shake. The final eating routine for ladies is designed for those over 40.

    Feel free to visit my homepage ... rapid weight loss by the numbers

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey there. I noticed your blog title, "Blogger: Home Education Heretic" doesn't really reflect the content of your web-site. When composing your website title, do you believe it's best to write it for SEO or for your audience?
    This is something I've been battling with because I want great search rankings but at the same time I want the best quality for my website visitors.

    Here is my web page - http://www.purevolume.com/yachtvacuum5/posts/3117081/Using+The+Latest+Semiconductor+Manufacturing+For+Top+Performance+In+The+AX1430G-UW30P+By+Acer

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hello! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be ok. I'm undoubtedly enjoying your blog
    and look forward to new posts.

    My web-site; plumbing snake camera

    ReplyDelete
  29. Appreciating the dedication you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.
    It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't
    the same unwanted rehashed information. Fantastic read!
    I've saved your site and I'm including your RSS feeds to my Google account.


    My web page; silicon wafer manufacturers in japan

    ReplyDelete
  30. First off I would like to say terrific blog! I had a quick
    question that I'd like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I've had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
    I truly do enjoy writing however it just
    seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost just trying to figure out how to begin.
    Any ideas or tips? Many thanks!

    My site: usb host mode touchpad

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hola! I just found your site: Blogger: Home Education Heretic
    when I was surfing around delicious.com.
    It looks as though someone enjoyed your website so much they decided to bookmark it.
    I'll surely be returning here more often.

    Visit my webpage :: www.xfire.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Howdy just happened upon your website from Bing after I typed in, "Blogger: Home Education Heretic" or perhaps something
    similar (can't quite remember exactly). In any case, I'm glad I found it
    simply because your subject material is exactly what
    I'm searching for (writing a college paper) and I hope you don't
    mind if I gather some information from here and I will of course credit
    you as the reference. Appreciate it.

    Here is my page :: propane wall furnaces

    ReplyDelete
  33. I rarely comment, but i did a few searching and wound up here "Learning the old fashioned way; autonomous education, the oldest method in the world".

    And I do have some questions for you if it's allright. Could it be simply me or does it seem like a few of these responses come across as if they are written by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are writing at other places, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Would you list of all of your public sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

    My page - http://markets.financialcontent.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog's content all the time along with a mug of coffee.

    Also visit my website :: Quantrim discount codes

    ReplyDelete
  35. Ahaa, its pleasant conversation regarding this paragraph at
    this place at this website, I have read all that, so at this
    time me also commenting at this place.

    Also visit my webpage: juicer easy

    ReplyDelete
  36. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
    writing this write-up and the rest of the site is extremely good.


    My web page http://independent.academia.edu/EricRogers

    ReplyDelete
  37. Greetings I am so excited I found your blog, I really found you by error,
    while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyhow I am
    here now and would just like to say thank you for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I
    donĂ­t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have bookmarked
    it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.


    Look at my weblog ... short term furnished apartments orlando florida

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is
    amazing, great written and come with approximately all significant infos.
    I'd like to peer more posts like this .

    Feel free to surf to my web page - snoring mask

    ReplyDelete
  39. If you are going for best contents like myself, just pay a visit
    this website daily since it provides quality contents, thanks

    my weblog - camelkarma.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Can you tell us more about this? I'd care to find out some additional information.

    Take a look at my homepage ... juice fast

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, the whole thing is going fine here and ofcourse every one
    is sharing information, that's really fine, keep up writing.

    Here is my page - tv Buzz

    ReplyDelete
  42. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me
    when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a
    comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment.
    Is there a means you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks a lot!

    Here is my blog Www.wesharenetwork.net

    ReplyDelete
  43. Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological
    world the whole thing is existing on net?

    Also visit my weblog lemon Juicer

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes
    it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often.

    Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!


    Look into my web page ... reverse Osmosis filtration

    ReplyDelete