Summary

The website content discusses the author's journey into understanding homeschooling through various resources, with a focus on the influence of three specific TED talks on their decision to homeschool their child.

Abstract

The author begins by expressing a newfound curiosity about homeschooling, an area they initially knew nothing about. They turned to Facebook groups and local libraries to gather information, discovering a wealth of resources including books, blogs, films, and TED talks. The TED talks, in particular, provided valuable insights into different educational philosophies and learning approaches, such as child-led and interest-led learning. The author highlights three TED talks that significantly impacted their educational philosophy and decision to homeschool their daughter: Sir Ken Robinson's "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", Sal Khan's "Let’s Teach for Mastery", and Logan LaPlante's "Hackschooling Makes Me Happy". These resources, combined with conversations with other homeschooling parents, helped shape the author's educational choices. The author encourages others to approach homeschooling with curiosity and openness, emphasizing that it is a legal and viable alternative to traditional schooling, with historical roots predating the industrial revolution.

Opinions

The author values the role of diverse resources, especially TED talks, in forming a well-rounded understanding of homeschooling.
There is an emphasis on the importance of an education system that fosters creativity, as highlighted by Sir Ken Robinson.
Sal Khan's talk resonates with the author's belief in the importance of mastering foundational concepts in education at an individual's own pace.
Logan LaPlante's concept of "hackschooling" aligns with the author's goal of pursuing happiness and health through education.
The author advocates for a shift from judgment to curiosity when it comes to society's perception of homeschooling.
Homeschooling is presented as a historically normal mode of education that has been overshadowed by the industrial model of schooling.

HOMESCHOOLING, TED TALKS

Learning through TED Talks

These are three TED talks about education that helped shape my own decision to homeschool.

One day, I became curious about something completely unknown to me — homeschooling children. I knew nothing about homeschooling and didn’t know anyone who homeschools their children.

How do I learn about homeschooling?

I turned to the two places where I expected to find people who homeschool (Facebook groups) and information about homeschooling (the local public library).

There were many, many FB groups that varied in their purpose and focus.

Some were local and regional groups whose primary use is to share information about meetup opportunities.

Some were state groups whose primary purpose is to answer questions about registering since in the USA and Australia (where I’ve lived during my homeschooling years) homeschooling is regulated at the state level rather than nationally or locally.

A few groups are national/international whose purpose is mostly to share information about homeschooling in the general sense of the word.

The local library (in the USA) had a vast number of books about homeschooling and thus my weekly habit of going to the library began.

As I continued on this journey of learning about homeschooling, more and more resources crossed my path including TED talks.

Where have these been all of my life?!

The TED talks gave me access to conversations around learning, child-led learning, interest-led learning, and more.

All of the resources books, blogs, films, YT channels, podcasts, TED talks, and conversations with homeschooling parents all came together to shape my decision to homeschool my daughter.

These three TED talks are the ones I frequently and regularly recommend to others. I hope you enjoy them.

Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity? Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

Sal Khan: Let’s Teach for Mastery Would you choose to build a house on top of an unfinished foundation? Of course not. Why, then, do we rush students through education when they haven’t always grasped the basics? Yes, it’s complicated, but educator Sal Khan shares his plan to turn struggling students into scholars by helping them master concepts at their own pace.

Logan LaPlante: Hackschooling Makes Me Happy When 13 year-old Logan LaPlante grows up, he wants to be happy and healthy. He discusses how hacking his education is helping him achieve this goal.

This process of being curious about something, seeking out resources to learn about it, discovery, and seeking more resources is how children (people of all ages) learn.

A lot of people are fearful and unknowing about homeschooling. They pass judgement because it feels safe. I invite those who don’t know to be curious, to ask questions, and find resources or even one resource and learn instead of judging.

Homeschooling is a viable and legal alternative to bricks-and-mortar schools in many places around the world. It was the normal way that children were educated before the industrial revolution and laborers were needed in factories.

Be curious.

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