In this short series of articles, I have summarised three points which I consider as the key elements for self-directed education. I have learnt them over my time at one of the best known examples of free schools in the world – Summerhill School (Suffolk, England), which celebrates 100th anniversary in 2021. This text is addressed to home-schooling parents but also to teachers who seek different ways of teaching. Hopefully, you will be able to contribute to the movement of parents and educators who see children as the central part of learning.
Continue reading “Self-directed learning: Trust in kids (Part 2)”Self-directed learning: Time for childhood (Part 1)
Many parents, who decided home-school their children, might do a research about teaching and try answer questions like: What to do? How to teach kids? I even believe that a few teachers, who are not satisfied with their teaching strategies or results, would like to find inspiration somewhere else and change their approach. A years ago, I heard about something called ‘self-directed education’ and read books like Summerhill School or Assessment 3.0 or lately Disobedient Teaching. Since then, I have been trying to implement described principles into my own teaching practise. I am certain that it is relevant philosophy and in most cases the best approach to schooling. It has the potential to unlock or support the human genuine interest in learning and prepare kids for their future what ever it might be. Most students will turn to confident people who can communicate and treat others with care and respect. To young people who will have better chance to find happiness in their lives.
Continue reading “Self-directed learning: Time for childhood (Part 1)”How to change post pandemic schools
Published on Spring 2020. The entire world is trying to solve a similar issue – school return to the ‘normal’ after the pandemic. Distant learning has been the form of teaching number one around the globe in recent months, but as the virus is spreading less and the situation is slowly changing, school’s gates are opening. What the mainstream education should learn from this extraordinary opportunity? Why is so important to gain the maximum from the momentum of today?
Continue reading “How to change post pandemic schools”How I create lessons with my list of resources
Learning should be fun and engaging, even if it is not student’s cap of tea. I find similar joy every time when I prepare lessons for my students or homeschoolers which I have the privilege to guide in the exciting world of learning. The key is to find the right information in the right form and combine these elements into a new complex which will surprise kids and let them discover new horizons. Let me shortly summarise how I try achieve that.
Continue reading “How I create lessons with my list of resources”How to start your home-school
One of the most common question in online homeschooling groups and forums is how to start and where to get help for the first steps. It is fair to stress that teaching is a time consuming and high demanding job. That is one of the reasons why we mostly leave this job to professionals, similarly like other tasks which we encounter in our homes and lives. Simply, it is more efficient. On the other hand, the lesson preparation is rewarding, enjoyable and fun activity and to observe your children’s learning progress and see results is even better. Therefore, it is good to know where to start, find out if you need someone alongside, or if it is alright to teach by yourself?
Continue reading “How to start your home-school”