Education: Self-Instruction

Today I ask the reader this question: how does someone learn?

I want to point out a simple education principle: self-instruction, or self education.

Self Instruction

What is self-instruction, or self education? Self instruction is the process of taking some material and learning it. Whether that is a textbook, a story book, a social media or blog post, a video, etc. This requires great motivation.

In his book A School Revolution, Ron Paul states that:

classroom instruction is a poor substitute for reading. With reading, a person can skim over the information rapidly to get a sense of the overall perspective. Then he can go back and read at a slower pace. He may highlight certain information. He may make marginal notations.

This is an important concept, given the statistic that "at least 90 percent of everything in a lecture is forgotten in less than three weeks" (TSR). Whereas, if you have made notes, and highlighted passes, and thought/reasoned about a passage, you might retain something more meaningful.

A quick sidenote here, I found that much of the Libertarian position presented here does not cover the human need that comes along with education. Yes we need to learn much if we are to be competitive in this world. But there is things that are deeper to each person that a technical education cannot give.

Dr. Paul then shares important concepts, such as these:

• As a student becomes more mature, he becomes less dependent on any teacher.
• If the goal of education is to maximize the learning experience of every student in the program, the best form of education is self-education.

He also argues against traditional classroom-based education:

Because classroom-based education is geared to multiple students in a room, the principle of the lowest common denomiator takes over. The teacher is tempted to concentrate on showing the least prepared, least intelligente, and leat gifted studenet in the class how to master the material. The brighter studnets therefore get bored fast. They are being held back by the least competent student. In other words, classroom instruction favors the less-competent students.

When?

Dr. Paul suggests to "transition to self-taught education by the beginning of the sixth grade." This is when students should have the basics of reading and understanding, writing, and I would also add discussing.

He then describes the four things needed:

1- Ability to read rapidly 2- Ability to understand what is read 3- Needs a way to remember what is read 4- Ability to express themselves in writing

If you or your student can do that, then it sounds like you should be all set!

It should be noted here, this read/write learning system is very similar to the learning system or device that I had learned about and promote. In A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver DeMille gives a title to a section of his writings, "Keep it Simple: Read, Write, Discuss." I found this method effective for myself, and I suspect it is effective on a wider and general scale. DeMille states, "have [the students] write about what they are learning as frequently as possible." This gives a good basis for discussion as well.

Why?

One word: motivation.

In the book Killing the Spirit by Page Smith, we are given an overview as to what has happened within the university systems that has potentially been the cause of student demoralization. I also see this as "work burnout." Essentially, losing your path, losing your way. Feeling degenerate. Wanting to give up. Having no purpose. From what I gather, Smith argues that this problem is caused by a lack of a moral system being coupled with the instruction. As Jesus taught, "for what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37). This innate feeling in every human is not to be underestimated. It is a driving force for more than we know. Or, it could be, if we could just understand what it is.

Naturally, students are interested in one topic or another. Yet, a school may not even offer anything in the realm of what the student is interested in. If the student cannot find material to seek after that topic of interest, and there is no more quest for knowledge, or he cannot help anyone else with the topic because he himself hasn't had the opportunity, then the demoralization process begins.

A person must be allowed to seek out those things that are of utmost interest to him. But there is a catch:

People cannot be educated unless they choose to seek education, and they seek it when they are inspired by great teachers, past and present. (TJE Chapter 1)

This calls from my memory the Jamaican saying, "who feels it, knows it." If you don't feel the knowledge entering your brain, then you have a much less chance of knowing it. If there is literally zero interest, then the students' time may not be well utilized.

So someone must choose to be educated. It doesn't happen on accident. It takes dedication and responsibility. Just as Jesus taught, "whoever has, will be given." You must decide to obtain, and more will come, through diligence and commitment.

Mentors

Another important point. We are social creatures. Even if we think we're aren't, we are. Some social circles may be bigger or smaller, and this doesn't matter. Maybe you only socialize with your family. However, I suspect that each person feels a sense of heroism within themselves, at some level. No, it doesn't mean you don a cape and go fight the bad guys. I consider the virtues of life to be heroism. The sense of right and wrong. The sense of helping another person, and giving of your time, talents, and means.

However, without a guiding light, becoming that hero that is in each human heart can be difficult. Living according to our virtues is always worth it. But accomplishing that feat, again, takes dedication and diligence. If you have a mentor, whether it's a neighbor, a friend, a family member, a parent, this can help you achieve the learning and life you desire.

A mentor is someone you can trust. They don't have to be a perfect person. They just have to be there for you when it matters. Someone you can ask questions. Or someone who might correct you when you go astray.

Read, Write, Discuss

At this point, I advocate again for this learning device. To self educate, or self-instruct, start by reading. Then write something. Then discuss. And repeat.

What will you start learning? When will you start? Who will you discuss with? I want to encourage on your journey today. For me, this process of self-improvement is really just a process of finding those things which we are called to do, our vocations. For me, I feel called by the Lord to raise and support my family. But others in different situations may feel called to do some other task. If we aren't living true to the light that is within us, we risk that the light will burn out! Fortunately, even if we feel the light is burned out, it is not. There is always a little fire burning, even if it's hard to tell. And that can grow brighter and brighter.

Valete!

Sources

TJE. A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-First Century

TSR. The School Revolution: A New Answer for Our Broken Education

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