Learning in the Absence of Education

Essays on Homeschooling

© Beverley Paine

Thoughts on Educational Experience
(continued)

Nothing turns children off learning faster than life becoming one continuous lecture. I have learned to ferociously dislike the term ‘education’ because it seems to value only the acquisition of knowledge and skills - how much do you know, how much can you repeat, etc. It doesn’t seem to value anything that can’t be easily tested. Much like a constant game of 'Jeopardy'... and jeopardy it is, a minefield of 'testing'. It conveys the value that you aren't who you are but what you know. I have this saying from John Holt on my wall:

"Intelligence is the measure of how we behave when we don't know what to do. It has to do with our ability to think up important questions and then find ways to get useful answers."

This means you don't have to 'know' everything, or be able to 'do' everything all the time, or even by a set age - you just have to be able to 'think' and move into 'action'. The two things needed are an inquiring mind and assertiveness derived from self esteem. This values the processes involved in learning, not just the outcomes.

Why don't people know this? Why do they have to constantly define the educational process as anything otherwise?

Thomas and Roger clam up when questioned by anyone they don't respect - and this includes strangers because they don't know them, and this also includes people who show little or no respect for who they are as individuals, like relatives and inquisitive friends. People that talk to them like they are 'real people' suddenly find themselves in the company of very talkative, sensible, informed young people!

I gave up excusing my boy's sullen silences years ago. It is who they are, I know the reasons for it, and I honour their judgement. Who says they have to justify their educational processes to anyone but themselves?

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More than 60 essays covering a wide range of home schooling concerns and issues, such as late readers, value of play, socialisation, learning maths, part time school, and thoughts on testing. Learning in the Absence of Education is an intimate and honest look at day-to-day homeschooling life spanning several years. Includes articles on learning maths, reading and writing, spelling, socialisation, part time schooling, fathers and homeschooling, value of play, grading and testing, coping with stress and illness, and much more.

"These essays are the real life experiences of a long term home educator and activist and make inspiring reading... a valuable resource for all those interested in home education.... What I particularly appreciate are the personal day-to-day stories that are so specific in the incident or outcome These are essays written over time that reflect natural learning (read life) as it really happens.

I really enjoy Beverley's writing style in this book. It is very direct, sometimes even challenging the reader. She tries to be scrupulously honest always so we read of advantages and disadvantages of whatever topic she is discussing. She will also point out the ideal situation and how she thinks she falls short. Sometimes she is self-deprecating; sometimes she glows with enthusiasm for their successful lifestyle. There are touches of humour and sometimes wry cynicism.

Hopefully this book will answer many people's questions and fears about natural learning. It is all in here: how right it feels when natural learning is working well, what happens when we have insecurities ourselves, and the results so far. By presenting the natural learning case in this essay style, Beverley has been able to reflect the different moods, the ups and downs, that make the book a valuable resource for all those interested in home education, whatever their current style."
Janine Banks, home educator, Qld

ISBN 1876651016, 128 pages... $22.95

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Homeschool Australia SA HE Network Unschool~Kidz! About Beverley Paine

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