Uncollege forever

Yesterday I caught a young American dude on the radio talking about real education in a way that was both refreshing and comforting.He's begun a kind of social movement called Uncollege. Its really an unschoolers manifesto: give a human a chance to go their own direction,doing what they love and you'll find a happier person with motivation to burn,contributing to society using their innate an developed talents.And all this outside of the tertiary education system where in American the average student debt is $60,000-and ours not far behind. Refreshing because it was a change from the numbed out uncreative monologues of the Ministry of Education,who all advocate more and earlier testing,staying at school longer and starting it earlier.He spoke eloquently of the"12 year prison sentence" that is school.The fact that schools were set up for the industrial age factory workers to teach them how to do a repetitive task,meet deadlines and follow orders.And now there isnt even those type of jobs out there.Not that I.see school as feeder for the workplace.The paradox is that teacher charters (I still belong to an organisation of teachers!) all say how its all about the individual and child-centred learning blah blah. Meanwhile at school the same people fixated with power and control are magnetised into the profession,where they proceed to live out their neurosis with the blessing of the system.
Comforting for me because it reflects my and other's views and confirms that humans, somewhere, somehow are alive and well and waiting for everyone else to wake up.

I wonder if you could donate a painting?......

Artists get asked to donate an artwork for fundraising-the practice has always been there-but it has a few questions around it for me.Though artists are usually pretty willing and generous,most aren't wealthy benefactors. Ever met a rich artist?
 You don't get people asking accountants or builders or rest home workers to donate something. So how come? Anyway,I'll not moan too long, but I'd like to see a bit of fairness here. Here's a solution: Ask your local ............. (pick someone who makes a bit of dosh) to buy an artwork,and then he/she donates it to the worthy cause. That way you still get the artwork but someone else takes the hit.Its going to catch on...............

How ewe learn: a blog 4 educationalistically minded people

Educating a kid 

1. You get a kid and you sit there,saying nothing.At this point remove any limiting beliefs such as,"I'm gonna break his spirit" or "All kids are bad unless we do something to them/for them". Ok well done. Now, listen, look and feel your feelings (a tried and true permaculture principle).Great!Almost home! 
2. Get out of the way. 
3. Have some resources ready. These can be people,things,tools,books.Hint: If you havent got them ready,dont panic! Make a plan to find some.
4. Watch out for lurking populist ideas which reinforce getting what you want  while making the kid believe you are helping them eg Nigel Latta,Steve Biddulph
5. Watch out for ideas that suggest more is better (homework and staying longer) and earlier is better (teaching babies).
6. If they are interested show them what you are doing and how you do it.
7. If they are not interested,you are unsuitable for this position and its better for everyone that you quietly slink away and find something else to do.

      You've done it!