On Thu, Dec 1, 2011 at 1:34 PM, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
**
****-=-If the list is really a "collection of ideas that put principals
into action" I would think other's experiences would be most helpful to
people who have just entered into unschooling-=-
It depends on what principles the others' experienced were based.
The experience of someone who doesn't know that there's a difference
between unschooling and radical unschooling is likely to cause confusion
and miss the mark. <<<
I think that often there is a misunderstanding of terms. Semantics are
important, on this list radical unschooling is specifically defined and the
whole list is almost like some large, multi-lateral thought experiment to
hone that definition into a working paradigm.
It took me a while to understand that. I kept reading and learning and
absorbing the meme of the group.
It is possible, even likely, that other groups, or individuals will have a
different set of definitions that are not necessarily any less valid than
the ones used here. However, this is Sandra's sand box and she has quite
clearly stated that here the definitions that she is using are specific.
We homeschoolers are a nervy, independent bunch and those of us who
unschool are even more so, and, like many, I chafed at her audacity at
first. "Who is this person to tell me what unschooling or radical
unschooling is and how it is to be done?!?!?!"
This first reaction that many have isn't helped by a blunt manner and
concise writing style. Sandra does not mince words and does not waste
energy trying to cushion a blow. Many people do not appreciate this
approach. I was miffed by it at first myself. But, this style of
communication shakes a person up and, hopefully, spurs them to examine
their thoughts and words. Of course, this takes a willingness to be
flexible and a willingness to look at what you have typed with clear eyes
and see that perhaps your message wasn't clear and could be
misinterpreted. In short, you have to check your ego as well as all of
those defensive behaviors that have built up over the years from having to
defend your decision to homeschool and then to unschool and then to
radically unschool.
Chris
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