The Spectrum of Learning

Everyone is entitled to their own story. Each of us have gone through experiences, both good and bad, that have shaped us into the human beings we are today. One element to that creation of self, is our education, and just like our home lives, travels, friendships, gains and loses, our educational journey is unique and our own.

I have always been interested in the human story. I am fascinated by other cultures, religions, child rearing, and education. Because of my deep interest in what makes us all different, I tend to ask a lot of questions (I'm nosy). I like to learn. Well, my personal investment in education, in addition to my desire to hear about people's experiences, I began asking around about people's educational background. To my delight, there was a variety of experiences. Some thrived off of their educational upbringing, where others resented the environments they were forced into. No matter the story, each moment of their education influenced something else along the way.

After speaking to friends and family, I decided to highlight the broad spectrum of learning opportunities we have here in this country. This blog is set up to bring light into multiple realms of education. I have tired to include a variety of experiences, in addition to information on that specific type of education. My goal is to showcase just how diverse the world of education really is.

One of America's most famous architects, Buckminster Fuller (he invented the geodesic dome), once said...

"Education by choice, with its marvelous motivating psychology of desire for truth, will make life ever cleaner and happier, more rhythmical and artistic." 

(Buckminster Fuller with his geodesic dome design)

Perhaps when we lay out our possible choices of educational opportunities, we can find the one that spurs the desire for learning.

Classical Education

Classical Education 

What is classical education?

The classical education movement advocates a form of education based in the traditions of Western culture, with a particular focus on education as understood and taught in Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages. -Wikipedia 

Classical education focuses on the liberal arts, including: grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. This type of education often times includes the teaching of Latin. The education system is set up in three stages; grammar, logic or dialectic, and rhetoric. They call this the trivium. The goal of classical education is to teach children how to learn and how to think

Not all, but a lot of classical schools are against standardized testing, proponents of direct instruction, and limit technology in the classroom. 

          

       

Videos

What is Classical Education?

This video summarizes the origins and goals of classical education. The ideals of classical education began in Greece in 500 B.C. Both Socrates and Plato helped with the creation of classical education and forming the first academic academies. Classical education continued to grow through the Renaissance and into the newly founded America. In 1635, the first American public school, Boston Latin was created. Boston Latin was built on classical ideals and included famous alumni of Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson. Eventually, classical education began to drift away in the United States. However, the U.S. has seen an new insurgence of classical education. A large influx started in 2013 when tuition free classical schools began emerging. There is one such school in Colorado, Ridgeview Classical School, which happens to be in the top 1% of the United States. Modern classical schools focus on the liberal arts, or humanities. The goal to is to teach students to seek out answers while thinking analytically, critically, and independently. 

Ted Talk: What if everyone had a classical education?

Testimonials & Interviews

“I attended curriculum night last night at Ascent Classical Academies and my mind was blown! They are setting these kindergartners up for success in so many ways by teaching them all the sounds each letter of the alphabet makes – because there are multiple sounds for most letters. These kids are also learning great penmanship, how to be responsible for themselves, the names of the oceans and continents, introduction to parts of our U.S. government with the preamble to the Constitution, and how to follow instructions and be good citizens. The way they teach phonics and writing is so simple, makes so much sense, but is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I am certain that Eden will end up with a far greater understanding of the English language and the grammar rules that surround it than I ever had, and it’s all starting in kindergarten with helping them understand why letters make the sounds they do and in what situations. My mind was literally blown and this is Kindergarten!! I am SO in love with everything this school is doing!”

       - Parent of student at Ascent Classical Academies in Douglas County

News & Articles

CNN Documentary

http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2013/06/21/classical-schools-put-plato-over-ipad/

The CNN article by Julia Dunn, describes the attraction many parents see when selecting a classical education for their children. The article outlines the basis of classical education being grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Beyond curriculum purposes, classical education wishes to expose children to historical figures and texts that stress the importance of discovery of knowledge, kindness, and love. Dunn explains that parents are looking for an education that teaches to the whole child. However, a point not to be lost, even with the emphasis on classic works, they want to prepare students for a modern world.

“As the movement has grown, there’s been an increasing tendency to define a classical education as ‘This is what Plato or Aristotle would have recognized,’” Bauer said. “But there are whole new fields of knowledge since then. We wouldn’t reproduce their view of women, which was that they shouldn’t get an education. What we’re really doing now is neo-classical education.”

Criticisms 

Classical Education vs. Modern Day Education

https://www.brighthubeducation.com/classroom-management/3024-modern-day-education-vs-classical-education/

In an article by zBrown, the author asks the big question: Which should you use classical or modern? The author does a great job discussing how classical education has shown success for thousands of years, but addressing the issue, does it have a place in a modern world. Although the author clearly appreciates the ideals of classical education, he makes solid arguments about why it might not be the best form of education for today's students. One such argument is that classical education thinks a student should only advance based on ability, not age.

So in the end, who wins? You be the judge: C.E. with its history and philosophy and rigor, or Modern Education with its cultural applicability and results based outcome? What do you think?

   

On the Spectrum Rating: High Direct Instruction

Faith Based or Religious Education

Faith Based or Religious Education 

What is religious education?

Religious education is the term given to education concerned with religion. It may refer to education provided by a church or religious organization, for instruction in doctrine and faith, or for education in various aspects of religion, but without explicitly religious or moral aims, e.g. in a school or college. The term is often known as religious studies. -Wikipedia 

Top Religions in the United States

                  

Videos

Why We Chose Catholic School

Why I Don't Like Catholic Schools

Interviews

Samantha B. Resides in Northern Colorado, but is originally for Louisiana. She attended K-6 at a small, private Montessori school and 7-12 at a Catholic combined junior high-high school. After attending Denver University, she now works as lawyer in Northern Colorado. 

Alivia S. from Northern Colorado. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Northern Colorado until 7th grade. For 7-12th grade she attended a local public school. She has obtained a sociology degree, and a MD in education from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently works as a 5th grade teacher in a public school in Northern Colorado. 

Jennifer M. from Northern Colorado. She attended public schools growing up and is currently a speech pathologist for a public school. She started her own children in public school but moved them to a private Christian school. 

Jill R. from Northern Colorado. She attended Spalding Academy, a Catholic school, grades K-12. She is from a small town in Nebraska that had a population of 450 people. There was a public and a Catholic school to choose from. She attended three difference public colleges. She currently works as a school counselor for a local public school. 

News & Articles

Public vs. Faith-Based Schools

https://catholicedaohct.org/blog/public-vs-faith-based-schools

The article provided by Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis, highlights the pros of enrolling children in faith based schools. Some of those advantages include: smaller class sizes, high achievement, a safer and more nurturing environment, and higher graduation rates. 

Is Religious School Right for Your Child?
"A celebrated 100% of Catholic school seniors graduate, with 99% pursuing further education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the public school graduation rate is 81%, with the further education rate coming in much lower. The numbers speak for themselves."

https://www.noodle.com/articles/why-choose-a-religious-school-for-your-child

The article, written by Alexandra Piacenza, is a great article for parents who are possibly considering faith based education for their children. Piacenza explains multiple perks of religious education. Some perks include: smaller class sizes, dress code, stability, and parent involvement. 
"Parents may feel that the impact of everyday exposure to religious values, such as reverence for God and kindness to others, is important to their families and can’t be matched by a once-a-week religion class."

Criticisms 

Religious Schools are Failing Us

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/religious-schools-are-fai_b_9431334

The article published by Huffpost, written by Roy Speckhardt, brings forth the conversation of the possibility of faith based education teaching misconceptions and omission of subject matter to students. The article focuses on a few extreme cases, such as an Islamic school not teaching U.S. history, but addresses the issue that faith based education does not have to teach to the same standards as public school.
"Though parents have the right to teach their children about religion and to send their kids to private religious schools, there can be far-reaching negative outcomes if they emphasize religious education over secular education."

       

Continuing The Discussion

Should Faith Run Schools Receive Government Funding?

https://www.debate.org/opinions/should-faith-run-schools-receive-government-funding

An online debate forum on Debate.org, allowing individuals to voice their opinions on if faith run schools should receive government funding. Weigh in with your own opinion. 

On the Spectrum Rating: High Direct Instruction

Montessori Education

Montessori Education 

What is Montessori Education?

Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. 
- Montessori Northwest

https://montessori-nw.org/what-is-montessori-education

Origins of Montessori education. Excerpt from the paper, Analysis of Montessori Education and Constructivism, by Brittany Corliss, University of Northern Colorado.

Maria Montessori 

Videos

TED Talk: Montessori = Creativity Unleashed

Montessori vs. Conventional Schools

Interviews and Testimonials

Samantha B. resides in Northern Colorado, originally from Louisiana. She attended K-6 at a small, private Montessori school. She currently works as a private firm lawyer in Northern Colorado. 

Anonymous parent testimonial of a Montessori Student

News & Articles

Why Choose Montessori

https://amshq.org/Families/Why-Choose-Montessori

The information is provided by American Montessori Society. This is a great resource if you are looking for information about Montessori education. The information includes: classroom setup, how teachers assess children, accountability of students, curriculum, and developing independence. At the very bottom there is even a video interview on why parents have chosen Montessori education. 

The BIG Differences Between Montessori and Traditional Education

http://ageofmontessori.org/differences-montessori-traditional-education/

The Age of Montessori has compiled a list of differences between Montessori education and traditional education. This is a really good resource for parents who are stuck deciding between the two. This can be help be a deciding factor.
"In the Montessori classroom, children work on lessons as long as need be, and interruptions are avoided whenever possible. Time limitations are mandated by arbitrary schedules in traditional classrooms."

Criticisms

Being a Montessori Teacher Made Me Decide Not to Raise my Kid That Way

https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1136046/why-not-montessori/

This is an interesting article from the perspective of both a Montessori teacher, and a mother. She describes how there are some distinct positives to the Montessori method, but that some students were left unprepared for future education. This article is wroth the read, even just for a different perspective. 

On the Spectrum Rating: Self-Directed Learning

Unschooling

Unschooling 

What is unschooling?

Unschooling is an educational philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. Unschooling students learn through their natural life experiences including play. - Wikipedia 

Unschoolers believe that curiosity is the best motivation for children to learn. They believe that educational institutions do not cultivate curiosity like the real world experiences can. Unschooling promotes child-led learning because it allows deep explorations of real life activities. Unschoolers believe that the most important thing isn't the subject being learned, but how to learn. The idea of teaching children to learn about the world around is to make adults that continue to learn on their own. 

Unschooling Statistics 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201406/survey-grown-unschoolers-i-overview-findings

Videos

Life Is. A Look Into the World of Unschooling

Extreme Parenting: Radical Unschooling

Parenting Panel: New Unschooling Trend Steve Harvey

Testimonials 

I was not able to speak one on one with anyone who actually uses unschooling, but here are some insights into families who practice unschooling. 

The Truth About Unschooling

Joyful Chaos is a video blogger and addresses the stigmas behind unschooling. She takes each popular myth and explains the misconceptions behind each criticism.

 Day in the Unschooling Yurt Life

Lulastic Hippyshake, shares a short video following a day of unschooling. In the video you get a glimpse of how they address subjects such as math, and how literacy is embedded in everyday activities. 

My Experience as an Unschooler

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2012/2/26/1068595/-My-experience-as-an-unschooler

Blogger Stumblegoat, shares her experience as an unschooler. The blog addresses multiple misconceptions and goes in depth of what it was like to experience unschooling. She also addresses how her experience has helped her later in life.

"My parents believed in the philosophy of 'unschooling'. Their practice of this meant that they trusted us with our own education. My mother and father were resources - librarians, chauffeurs, tutors if we needed them. They encouraged us to be well rounded by providing math textbooks, history books, foreign language audio cassettes, handwriting drill books, and the like. But the choice of how to use those resources was up to us ultimately."

News & Articles

ABC News Is Unschooling a Better Alternative for Your Child's Education?

https://abc13.com/education/is-unschooling-a-better-alternative-for-your-childs-education/5377562/

ABC interviews a family who was unhappy with the current public school, so they switched to unschooling. The piece also interviews an education professor who stated that unschooling can be beneficial and will not hinder college acceptance.

"Public schools, obviously, they're operating within certain constraints. There's a limit to what teachers can do. There's a limit to what the school can do."

Criticisms

Criticisms of Unschooling K12 Academics

https://www.k12academics.com/pedagogy/unschooling/criticisms

K12 Academics is a website that lists different forms of education. The list includes descriptors, criticisms, and college admission rates. This type of site is great for parents who are unsure which type of educational philosophy is best for their family. The criticisms for unschooling that are listed include: social interactions, motivations, stimulating environments, and lack of accreditation.

"Children have a vast capacity for learning new things, so it is the responsibility of adults to ensure that they learn a number of essential things, as it could be more difficult to learn those things as an adult (what these essential things are varies from critic to critic)."

Continuing the Conversation 

Unschooling: Needed Revolution or Ineffective Anarchy 

https://mrscorliss.blogspot.com/2019/06/unschooling-needed-revolution-or.html

This blog highlights the discussion of unschooling vs. traditional school. The blog includes insights from both sides, but also includes discussing the downfalls of unschoooling. 

On the Spectrum Rating: Self-Directed Learning

Homeschooling

Homeschooling

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling means learning outside of the public or private school environment. For most families, their "schooling" involves being out and about each day, learning from the rich resources available in their community, and through interactions with other families who homeschool. - Family Education
https://www.familyeducation.com/school/concerns-about-homeschooling/definition-homeschooling

The Laws of Homeschooling

Exerpt from The Laws Governing Homeschooling by Kris Bales 

Full Article: https://www.thoughtco.com/homeschool-laws-4154907

Colorado Home-school Laws

CDE Website https://www.cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool

Statistics of Homeschooling 

A2Z HomesCool 

https://a2zhomeschooling.com/thoughts_opinions_home_school/numbers_homeschooled_students/

Homeschooled: How American Homeschoolers Measure Up
https://www.topmastersineducation.com/homeschooled/

Videos

Ted Talk: Homeschooling or Whole Being Living

TED Talk: How I Will Education My Children

Testimonials/ Interviews

Sara M. is from Northern Colorado. She attended public school up until her first year of high school. She then continued her education at home. Eventually she went on to receive a degree in sports medicine from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently continuing her education and works as a massage therapist. 

** There is an additional interview under the virtual education section. The interview is extensive so I did not include the information twice. However, the category can cross over into virtual school and homeschooling. 

News & Articles

Herald Editorial: Homeschooling in 2019 May Be Easier and a More Realistic Option Than Ever

https://www.heraldextra.com/news/opinion/herald-editorials/herald-editorial-homeschooling-in-may-be-easier-and-a-more/article_b74b3e2e-74bc-5511-a003-8b64fa8c90eb.html

The article by the Daily Herald, addresses the topic of the growing popularity of homeschooling. The bring up some criticisms, but point out the positive aspects of homeschooling. Some of the most notable points of the article are the importance of increasing homeschooling resources, and the discussion on why parents pull kids from public schools. The author stresses that the decision should be based on something other than the disapproval of teaching controversial topics. The author explains that children should be exposed to all sorts of topics in education, whether in a school or home.
"Homeschooling has its merits, as much as traditional education. We want those who may be juggling the idea of homeschooling to know it is now a more manageable means of education with readily available resources and well-crafted curriculum programs should the parents and children be committed to the time and resources it requires."

Motherly: Thinking About Homeschooling? Here's What You Need to Know

https://www.mother.ly/child/10-things-i-wish-id-known-before-homeschooling

The article, by Kristi Ramirez, is a great resource for parents who are considering taking on the task of homeschooling. Ramirez does a great job of highlighting some of the hardest parts of homeschooling, and how to tackle them. Her insight and experience would be helpful to any parent who wants to home school their children. 
"I wasn't homeschooled, but I knew from the beginning of my life as a parent that I would be a homeschooling mom. Now my qualifications seemed shaky at best. There was so much I didn't know but needed to, and that day I started grasping in the dark for answers."

Continuing the Discussion

Education Policy Analysis Archives: Homeschooling and the Redefinition of Citizenship 

https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/article/view/562

The paper by Bruce Arai, discusses how homeschooling has grown in the past couple decades. Arai brings up the issue of how homeschooling might be hindering children's understanding of citizenship. The paper brings forth information on both sides of the debate and how we can help build a basis of citizenship for all students.

"However, the broader issue of the place of homeschooling in contemporary democratic societies can be better understood as a more fundamental debate about the nature of citizenship, and the place of the school as a major agent of socialization in the construction of citizens. In short, most of the concerns about and objections to homeschooling are worries about whether homeschooled children will grow up to be good citizens."  

On the Spectrum Rating: Combined Direct Instruction and Direct Learning

Virtual Education

Virtual Education

What is virtual education?

An online school (virtual school or e-school or cyber-school) teaches students entirely or primarily online or through the internet.
 -Wikipedia 

**Online schooling is different than homeschooling. With online education there is a curriculum and a certified teacher.

Statistics

EdTech 7 Telling Statistics About the State of K-12 Online Learning

Types of Online Models 

Here are the five types of blended and fully online learning:

• The “rotation model” is a single course or subject where students participate in online learning in the classroom or at home. It includes the “flipped classroom,” where kids in traditional classrooms get online lessons to do at home. They also get face-to-face classroom instruction and can problem-solve with the teacher.
• The “flex model” is a single-subject course where online lessons are the center of instruction. For example, your child attends public school but her English class is held online.
• The “à la carte model” is a single course or a series of courses offered entirely online. The student can take it at her school building or off-site. Popular at the high school level, this model is taught by a virtual teacher.
• The “enriched virtual model” is a single course or series of courses with some face-to-face learning, but most of it is online so students can work off-site. This model is largely available for high school students.
• The “fully online model” or virtual classroom is where all coursework is taken remotely or off-site and the teacher or teachers are online. Available for K–12 students, this model is becoming more common at the elementary and middle school level. It requires an adult to be at home and available to the online school during instructional hours.

- Different Types of Online Classrooms 

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/choosing-starting-school/home-schooling/different-types-of-online-classrooms

Videos

ONLINE SCHOOL: How it Works and My Thoughts After One year

What to Expect With Online School: Curriculum, Teachers, and Platform

Testimonials 

I was able to only interview one person on virtual education, so I included some additional resources.

Wendy H. lives in Northern Colorado with her son Lucus. Wendy attended public school and then college for nursing. She chose non-traditional education methods for her some because of his multiple learning disabilities.  

K12 Online Virtual Home School Review 

The video is a quick commentary on one families experience with K12 online schooling. The mother expressed that they wanted more structure than a typical homeschool curriculum, so the virtual education was a good fit for them. This is a good outline of the time commitment needed for online schooling. 

First Day of Online Homeschool

This vlog goes through Ashley's first day of online schooling. I appreciate the honesty of some of the snags in being able to navigate the different components of the computers and online portals. The vlog also demonstrates how important motivation and responsibility is in staying up with online schooling. 

News & Articles

Center of Digital Education: Is Online Preschool a Good Enough Alternative for Young Kids

https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/Is-Online-Preschool-a-Good-Enough-Alternative-for-Young-Kids.html

This is an interesting article by Kip Bentley that discusses the use of online education for preschool age students. Bentley addresses a program called UPSTART that is an online preschool. He brings up some good points about how this could be a good resource for families who can't afford preschool, or an additional resource for low income preschools. However, Bentley also brings up the valid point that online education might not be developmentally appropriate for little minds. 

"The UPSTART initiative has been hailed by some as a valid age-appropriate way to advance young children’s school readiness. But it’s also widely criticized by early learning experts and advocates who contend the program is pushing young kids into computer-based learning programs at too early an age."

The Virtual High School: Is Virtual Education the Future of K-12 Students

https://www.vhslearning.org/virtual-education-future-k-12-students

The article is written by Carol Ribeiro, the CEO of a virtual high school. First thought for me was how weird it is to have a CEO of a school, but that's besides the point. Ribeiro wrote the article to highlight the pros of virtual education. She discusses positive factors such as collaboration, digital literacy, and better technology education readiness. The article does point out some good qualities, but does feel a little biased, considering the source. 

"I joined the virtual education industry because of the impact the combining of technology and education can have on children’s lives. The ability to collaborate virtually, learn material in new ways using the best that technology has to offer, and have access to expert educators and tools regardless of geographic location makes me feel optimistic about the possibilities, the future of virtual education, and education in general."

Criticisms

The GOP's Biggest Charter School Experiment Just Imploded

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/01/the-gops-biggest-charter-school-experiment-just-imploded/

The article by James Pogue, illustrates an interesting tail of a success and failure of an online school. The school was started by a poor entrepreneur who had a dream of a nontraditional school. The dream included educating low income students and providing free computers. However, the blissful dreamed soon turned to a reality of misusing government money, lack of accountability maintaining student participation, and the eventual downfall of a school. The article illustrates what happens when money, politics, and corruption enter education. A must read!

“When you have a situation where public moneys are used to enrich individuals, who then in turn support the politicians that support the policies that enrich them—it may not be illegal, but I think that fits the definition of corruption.”

Continuing the Conversation  

Here is an article on how you can make online learning more active.

Rethinking Direct Instruction in Online Learning 

https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/rethinking-direct-instruction-in-online-learning/