Education versus control

With a long record in Lecturing, I certainly believe in empowering thinking. But too many today appear to think that going into home schooling with their eyes shut is clever.

It's not.

 

So with this this brief intro page I'll hopefully point out a few truths to help get people into the  right mindset.

First things first - engrave the words of Socrates in your head: top of page, blue banner.

 

And secondly, walk away if you can't handle the tuth; a turd is a turd, no matter how much thinking that polishing it will change the truth, just go and cry.  An omni operational earth redeployment device, is still a spade.

Don't damage your child. Just be real 👍

The rise of home education

Home education appears to be on the increase these days, which is due to many reasons, so offering a flexible and personalised approach to learning is viewed as important. This shift empowers children and parents alike, fostering a deeper understanding that moves beyond traditional boundaries. This independent approach is far too often wrong, because the realities of home educating are too often 'pipe dreams', so think! 

Frankly. Education is not about the iconic view of "the teacher" saying, and the learner doing; in fact it's far from it.

Far too many deluded people in this world is also on the increase, I often wonder who controlled, & how that increase occurred 🤔.

A few pointers to help get started

This page is aimed at giving parents some free advice. And that creates the first point 

  • we provide this site for free, anywhere around the planet with Internet, so community is very important, and we serve the biggest community on earth, for  charity.
  • The thinking that the "teacher" must go up on a podium and be respected and admired is really stupid.
  • The "teacher" can just ramble on about how great they are to their captive audience; I sacked a few over the years after conducting lesson observations on these clowns 🤣🤣
  • "Teaching is really stressful" - is it? Then you're doing it wrong: a quick note : someone who gets paid for a 37hr per week job, with that week split into 23 hrs of class contact, and 14 hrs sat in their provided staffroom, preparing future lessons, and/or marking previous lessons, while being paid, is more than stressful for the good of education in my honest opinion; the door's that way ⛔️
  • Teachers get long holidays! - the lazy ones take long holidays, the good teachers don't. 
  • Lecturers don't teach kids anyway - try again
  • Is this a collaboratively agreed option with the learner, or just a new virtue flag to "impress" others in  conversation over a glass of pino, by shouting about how really clever your newly invented name is? - then remember ⛔️.
  • Only venture down this route for the learner's benefit, not for yours.

Understanding versus rigid control

  • The hardest person to control in life, is the person with fewer needs. This profound statement applies equally to my view of education, and again, hopefully once the obvious penny drops, you'll adopt Socrates' philosophy from the C5th BC, just as I did.
  • the necessary interactions required to get through, and further progress into the learner's adult life 'needs' will become clear as time prceeds.
  • Those with stronger education are less easily controlled, because 'controllers' need a target, so home schooling in a structured manner is very important for creating the structured lives and responsibilities ahead as adulthood kicks in, and the old adage: "you may have passed your driving test, but now you'll learn to drive" is very true.
  • Setting 'class times' and sticking to them is important, even if loose women come on early; turn that TV off! (Turn it in to the bin is even better) 
  • Learners respond well, and respond well to structure, so make sure you plan ahead of every day.
  • Most learners are what's known as "Kinaesthetic learners"; in other words: "show me, discuss the why's and the expected outcomes", the bookworms will learn, but just one way, which is why I never gave 'reading lists' out in Unis. (Plus, I never encouraged plagiarism)
  • Structure your week, then plan each day well:- aims & objectives, session times, recapitulation (recap) time, feedback positively (no learner wants to give the best they can, to be failed), so encouraging advice is always helpful if needed.
  • Think hard about AI, unless of course you want your kids to be Absolute Idiots; there is a good reason why your kid has a brain, and that's not just to push buttons.

 

You might think you're the parent, but then you've answered the real question; you're not a teacher, you need to be a good teacher; with parenting skills.

 

"You can't have your cake, and eat it" - that's very true.

If I haven't put you off, and you are still keen, "lifelong learning" is very true. You can learn more HERE.