IF YOU ARE NEW:
New to unschooling? Read or ask questions.
Partially unschooling? Read or ask questions; don't give advice.
Skeptical of unschooling? Read.
Think this intro is harsh? Don't stay.
| ABOUT:
Links and directions to information for new and experienced Unschoolers who extend that learning beyond academics. Any idea brought here will be examined in light of the principles of radical unschooling. ALL posts should be
The sites most linked to are SandraDodd.com and Joyfully Rejoycing, both sites related to the discussion group Always Learning and a few other large groups and forums over many years. The traditions in place here are that unschooling is to be discussed for the benefit of the many readers, many of whom will only read but not post. |
Read a little, try a little, wait a while, watch.
There are tabs ("About" and "Files") everyone should read. but they're hard to find so the info is below
There is a free introductory course (in e-book form) for new unschoolers here:
LivingJoyfully.ca
Thank you, Pam Laricchia!
There are notes for new unschoolers here, too, with links to those and many other resources: Help!
Ask a clear question or respond to a question.
Don't just chit-chat.
POST CLEARLY. Proof-read.
Many people will read what you write, so make it worth their time.
If you provide a link, introduce it.
Bare links without comment look like spam, and people should not click them. Tell why you're bringing it and what you liked about it, or something.
"RU" is a bad thing. Write out "unschooling." If you don't have time or energy to write that word out, you don't have enough time to post. (The problem is people try to pronounce it, and "are you" and "rue" are both already in use, in English.)
"Ridiculous" isn't nice. Anyone who might be tempted to use the word should not post anything at all. Also avoid telling people that what they're writing is "stupid." Avoid "LOL" for the same reasons.
Be courteous.
Don't write "follow", because you'll waste the time of all the readers. Don't do it.
Across from the name on a post, to the right, is a grey, hard-to-see "V"—a down arrow of near-invisibility.
Click it and a menu appears. Click "Turn on notifications for this post." Tadaa!
Joyce, library analogy and purpose
If you had no idea libraries existed, based on social gathering rules of behavior, they would seem unfriendly. If you tried to speak to people and were told to shush, it would feel shockingly unfriendly.
Presumably everyone here understands libraries and their special behavior. 🙂 What most people *don't* know is that *not* all groups on social media are for social or support purposes.
The purpose of this group is to *analyze* family situations and ideas about unschooling in the light of radical unschooling principles. The purpose is to provide a radical unschooling mirror for those looking *specifically* for a radical unschooling response. One question answered here is "What does this look like from a radical unschooling perspective?"
What is especially different here is to respond directly to the words being read by members, to the picture those words paint, to not wash the image first with a presumption of best intent.
One reason for doing that is because responses are intended for everyone reading, not just the original poster. People reading are forming an image from the words. They want answers to the situation painted by the words.
This group is *not* everyone's cup of tea and it doesn't try to be. It works hard to be exactly what it promises for the people who like this approach to learning about radical unschooling. Unfortunately the people who want a different approach get mad when the group does what it promises then get angry at the group for not being what they want and assume.
To judge *any* groups' response based on social and support rules of behavior -- like judging the library that way -- will give a false impression of the group and its purpose.
The responses in this thread did take a harsh and emotionally laden tone while Sandra and moderators weren't available. But even so, even in a face to face social group, if people in a group aren't acting as you expect them to act, the best first response is to assume you've misunderstood the purpose of a group and inadvertently stepped on people's toes.
At the top of the page is pinned a post labeled "IF YOU ARE NEW". There is also an About page. It's polite if you've inadvertently stepped on toes to step back and find out more about a culture and the local rules and not immediately jump to the conclusion that you're right and everyone around you is wrong. If you're speaking too loud in a theater, people are not wrong for shushing you. If you eat with your left hand in an Arabic country, locals are not wrong for getting grossed out.
In those cases usually all it takes is a reminder for the offender to get the message. Here, unfortunately, toe steppers rarely respond to messages that the rules are different here with "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize." Nearly always they assume they can't possibly be wrong and respond with anger and "I've never met a ruder group of people!" And yet who is in the wrong? The group for being what it promises to be? Or people who cling to their assumptions and blame the group?
Joyce, April 22, 2013
Radical Unschooling Info on Facebook
When I first joined and "watched" this group it did trigger some of what has been mentioned above - I felt it was a little harsh and unsupportive and that I would prefer to be somewhere that would treat me the way I was moving towards treating my children.About unschooling:The initial part of the 'deschooling' process can be such a fragile time for parents and support is absolutely a great asset. So I found it elsewhere and thought this group 'not right' for me.
I kept watching this space however, and over time I realised that my perception of 'harshness' within this group was actually a beautiful protection of invaluable information that is clear, to the point, and easy to find and navigate. Much more valuable than a sea of comments either debating or stroking each others' 'soft spots'.
I soon came here more often and started to see this group as MY BIGGEST ASSET as I moved further towards unschooling. And I know whenever I have a question about radical unschooling or hit a bump in the road that I'm confused with, this is where I will get the most accurate and informative response, whether I like the responses or not!
Stay and read...
I have only been active here [six months]. I must admit that the comments on the first question I asked got me a little defensive but something amazing has happened. Whenever I have a question I type it and read it and delete parts and reword it until most times I've answered my own questions!I have a history of over analyzing stuff and then over explaining. My husband has said, "too many words." He can lose focus as I go on and on!
The other (even more) amazing thing is that in life my words are getting more efficient! I am grateful to all of the long time unschoolers helping here but especially Sandra Dodd (She's kind of like a rock star to me!). I just imagine what she might say and tell my brain to think that!
The abundance of blessings in my life are being acknowledged more and more and the relationships (which were already better than I deserved) are growing richer. I still have much to learn and will all my life! Thankfully all of these beautiful people have already written soooooo much that I'll never run out of examples to read!
More about the facebook discussion group: