tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post114682741848003836..comments2023-10-15T10:29:12.991+01:00Comments on Karyn's erratic learning journey: A different approach to schoolThe upsychohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1154833381543876502006-08-06T04:03:00.000+01:002006-08-06T04:03:00.000+01:00I taught in an alternative school outside of Toron...I taught in an alternative school outside of Toronto for several years. There, students took a variety of high school courses on an individualized basis. Yes, the inspired, motivated, organized, and goal-oriented students did very well. Those with less motivation, who were dis-organized, and didn't have the foggiest idea of what they would do with their lives also made some progress. Both groups needed guidance to succeed. Different types of guidance and different levels of guidance, but they all needed guidance at sometime or the other. I believe that educators have a duty to guide, provide suggestions, outline opportunities, and respond to students' requests for support, but we should not impose our will. I think Karyn is right that teachers need to guide, but I also believe that students should have a say in how they acquire and experience knowledge. We need a mix of Karyn's and Stephen's worlds. Perhaps more of Karyn's when we are younger, and more of Stephen's when we are older.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1147155419715786962006-05-09T07:16:00.000+01:002006-05-09T07:16:00.000+01:00Yes, it is a bit extreme!May be, it is better to s...Yes, it is a bit extreme!<BR/><BR/>May be, it is better to stay in the mainstream and make sure appropriate vitamin N are given at the right time. :-) <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great conversation.Albert Iphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938101816494973123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1147074892333170252006-05-08T08:54:00.000+01:002006-05-08T08:54:00.000+01:00Whoa! Talk about the opposite extreme!-) Mind you,...Whoa! Talk about the opposite extreme!-) <BR/><BR/>Mind you, I have heard that, for teens who have fallen foul of the law, these places have their uses. I hope I never have cause to find out...! <BR/><BR/>In the UK, they have made a few reality TV programmes about these programmes. The kids involved seemed to have in common that their parents have "let them grow up", as opposed to "raising them". This is, of course, a gross generalisation, but it seems to me that appropriate boundaries, consistently maintained are healthy for a child. It's what James Dobson <A>http://www.family.org/</A> calls a healthy dose of vitamin N (the word "No").Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1147042284418355072006-05-07T23:51:00.000+01:002006-05-07T23:51:00.000+01:00Totally understand your concern and I have been we...Totally understand your concern and I have been wearing a devil's hat. ;-)<BR/><BR/>Yes, a school like Fairhaven may not be a school for younger children. Given my daughter is absolutely rebellious, that may be a choice.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, if she ever get enrolled in Fairhaven, I will also make sure she will have boot camp type of experience (see e.g. http://www.familyfirstaid.org/alternatives.html) - not she is a Juvenile delinquent . (I live in Australia, so sending her to Fairhaven is just an assumption and is not a possibility)Albert Iphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938101816494973123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1146908542527383492006-05-06T10:42:00.000+01:002006-05-06T10:42:00.000+01:00Thanks for the follow up, Albert - love the pictur...Thanks for the follow up, Albert - love the picture. <BR/><BR/>I hear your arguments, but for my part, I have to stick at the point that parents (and teachers) are charged with leading and guiding children, and my view is that this involves increasing independence and the gradual assumption of responsibility. Watching some of the younger children in the video, I'm sorry, but I cannot believe that they are old enough to assume the responsibility for driving their own education to the extent that they do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1146898025776309052006-05-06T07:47:00.000+01:002006-05-06T07:47:00.000+01:00I have written a follow up after reading your post...I have written a <A HREF="http://elearningrandomwalk.blogspot.com/2006/05/different-approach-to-school.html" REL="nofollow">follow up</A> after reading your post.Albert Iphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938101816494973123noreply@blogger.com