List Posting Policies
pam sorooshian
All of you got these when you subscribed to the list, but once in a
while I like to send them to the list so that we can all be reminded of
them. Also, we occasionally modify them, so they may not be quite the
same as when you first joined, so please do read them over. If you have
questions or comments, you can write directly to the list owners, but
please refrain from responding on the list itself. Thank you.
****
UnschoolingDiscussion Posting Policies
Please read carefully BEFORE posting on the list.
It is our sincere wish to provide a forum for those seeking to deepen
their
understanding of the unschooling philosophy. The primary purpose of this
list is to encourage the critical examination of ideas, beliefs and
viewpoints.
Questioning of deeply-held ideas and beliefs can be very uncomfortable
and
sometimes responses to that process can stand in the way of people
getting
what they need out of the list.
Therefore, we offer the following to help our members get the
most from the list:
1. We suggest that you read for at least a couple of weeks before
posting. Spend that
time getting a "feel" for the list and its members. This will help you
decide if this list is worth
your time or whether some other list might be more useful to you in
meeting your needs.
2 Expect your beliefs to be challenged. Welcome this as an opportunity
to
critically examine your own ideas.
3. When differences of opinion arise, stick to discussing ideas, not the
person with whom you are disagreeing.
4. If you have a belief or practice that you don't want held up to
public
examination, don't post it to the list.
5. Before you hit "send," consider whether your post will contribute
positively to the unschooling discussion or help people understand
unschooling better. For example:
* Posts should add something to the discussion, not just say things
like,
"Me too," or "Thank you."
* This list is international. State specific questions are best
answered
elsewhere. (Try http://www.unschooling.com/ click "Message Boards" then
"Across the Continent, Around the World".)
* This list's focus is learning through unschooling, not
homeschooling
politics. Discussions of legislative and legal issues can be found at
<http://www.nhen.org/forum>.
* List members should refrain from meta-discussion, that is,
commenting or
complaining about a discussion instead of contributing to it. Examples
of
meta-discussion are: "This list is not very friendly." "That response
seemed
overly defensive." "Why do my posts get criticized and not others?"
6. Avoid using loaded terminology. For instance, "If you have no TV
restrictions why don't your kids just watch TV all day?" will get you
more
useful responses than, "I don't see how your kids learn anything if all
they
ever do is sit around like zombies watching unlimited TV."
7. It is not useful to inform the list that you believe someone else is
being rude or discourteous; please trust the rest of the list to
recognize
rudeness for themselves. Saying, "Jane was rude to me," just bogs down
the
list. It is also a waste of everyone's time when participants attempt to
correct or improve other list members' manners. It never works and
always
disrupts the list. Avoid
statements such as: "Jane, here is my suggestion of how you could write
more
nicely so people wouldn't think you are being rude."
8. Our brains automatically supply a "tone" to posts as we read. It can
be
helpful to imagine your best friend speaking the words you are reading,
in
the gentlest, most well-meaning tone you can imagine. It is
unacceptable to
attack the "tone" of the list or to make generalizations about it. "I've
been on many other lists and this one is the rudest I've seen," would be
unacceptable. Instead, attempt to create a positive, helpful tone with
your
own posts by setting the example you hope others will follow.
9. Envision every post and response as a dish at a potluck dinner. You
won't
love every dish at a potluck any more than you will love every poster's
style of help. But a dish/post may be exactly what someone else needs.
If
you don't like a certain list member's offerings, skip them and
leave them for others.
10. Read and write as clearly as you can. In casual conversation we
often
don't realize how much we rely on others to fill in the gist of our
conversation based on what they expect us to say. But here, without body
language or inflection, all we have to go on are your words and they
should
say what you mean. If you say, for example, you "never" do something, it
should not mean "almost never."
Our goal is to make the list as useful as possible for those seeking to
deepen their understanding of the unschooling philosophy. To do that,
all
new list members are initially moderated to prevent spamming and catch
posts
that could disrupt the list. People will also be moderated if they
disrupt
the usefulness of the list. Potentially disruptive posts will be
returned
for revision.
If you have questions, please write to:
[email protected]
while I like to send them to the list so that we can all be reminded of
them. Also, we occasionally modify them, so they may not be quite the
same as when you first joined, so please do read them over. If you have
questions or comments, you can write directly to the list owners, but
please refrain from responding on the list itself. Thank you.
****
UnschoolingDiscussion Posting Policies
Please read carefully BEFORE posting on the list.
It is our sincere wish to provide a forum for those seeking to deepen
their
understanding of the unschooling philosophy. The primary purpose of this
list is to encourage the critical examination of ideas, beliefs and
viewpoints.
Questioning of deeply-held ideas and beliefs can be very uncomfortable
and
sometimes responses to that process can stand in the way of people
getting
what they need out of the list.
Therefore, we offer the following to help our members get the
most from the list:
1. We suggest that you read for at least a couple of weeks before
posting. Spend that
time getting a "feel" for the list and its members. This will help you
decide if this list is worth
your time or whether some other list might be more useful to you in
meeting your needs.
2 Expect your beliefs to be challenged. Welcome this as an opportunity
to
critically examine your own ideas.
3. When differences of opinion arise, stick to discussing ideas, not the
person with whom you are disagreeing.
4. If you have a belief or practice that you don't want held up to
public
examination, don't post it to the list.
5. Before you hit "send," consider whether your post will contribute
positively to the unschooling discussion or help people understand
unschooling better. For example:
* Posts should add something to the discussion, not just say things
like,
"Me too," or "Thank you."
* This list is international. State specific questions are best
answered
elsewhere. (Try http://www.unschooling.com/ click "Message Boards" then
"Across the Continent, Around the World".)
* This list's focus is learning through unschooling, not
homeschooling
politics. Discussions of legislative and legal issues can be found at
<http://www.nhen.org/forum>.
* List members should refrain from meta-discussion, that is,
commenting or
complaining about a discussion instead of contributing to it. Examples
of
meta-discussion are: "This list is not very friendly." "That response
seemed
overly defensive." "Why do my posts get criticized and not others?"
6. Avoid using loaded terminology. For instance, "If you have no TV
restrictions why don't your kids just watch TV all day?" will get you
more
useful responses than, "I don't see how your kids learn anything if all
they
ever do is sit around like zombies watching unlimited TV."
7. It is not useful to inform the list that you believe someone else is
being rude or discourteous; please trust the rest of the list to
recognize
rudeness for themselves. Saying, "Jane was rude to me," just bogs down
the
list. It is also a waste of everyone's time when participants attempt to
correct or improve other list members' manners. It never works and
always
disrupts the list. Avoid
statements such as: "Jane, here is my suggestion of how you could write
more
nicely so people wouldn't think you are being rude."
8. Our brains automatically supply a "tone" to posts as we read. It can
be
helpful to imagine your best friend speaking the words you are reading,
in
the gentlest, most well-meaning tone you can imagine. It is
unacceptable to
attack the "tone" of the list or to make generalizations about it. "I've
been on many other lists and this one is the rudest I've seen," would be
unacceptable. Instead, attempt to create a positive, helpful tone with
your
own posts by setting the example you hope others will follow.
9. Envision every post and response as a dish at a potluck dinner. You
won't
love every dish at a potluck any more than you will love every poster's
style of help. But a dish/post may be exactly what someone else needs.
If
you don't like a certain list member's offerings, skip them and
leave them for others.
10. Read and write as clearly as you can. In casual conversation we
often
don't realize how much we rely on others to fill in the gist of our
conversation based on what they expect us to say. But here, without body
language or inflection, all we have to go on are your words and they
should
say what you mean. If you say, for example, you "never" do something, it
should not mean "almost never."
Our goal is to make the list as useful as possible for those seeking to
deepen their understanding of the unschooling philosophy. To do that,
all
new list members are initially moderated to prevent spamming and catch
posts
that could disrupt the list. People will also be moderated if they
disrupt
the usefulness of the list. Potentially disruptive posts will be
returned
for revision.
If you have questions, please write to:
[email protected]