|
Creating Learning Communities
edited by Ron Miller
Reviewed by Beverley Paine
IImagine... a future in which all people will be able to learn what and when they want, regardless of age - a future where learning can be life-long, where the old paradigms are torn away and we can intellectually roam and seek out as much knowledge, information and experience as we wish, where we can both learn and teach according to our curiosity, needs, and knowledge. In most segments of society we are far from this future - but here and there, in vastly growing numbers, all around the world, people are actually living this future today.
Robin and I are in the process or organising a Natural Learning Resource Centre on our Bungala Ridge Permaculture Gardens property and I couldn't wait to get hold of a copy of this book... I know it will be an invaluable tool to us and our fellow unschooling friends as we build this alternative learning resource for all in the community to use. It's packed with great tips, interesting and thought provoking ideas that challenge and extend our goals, actions and visions.
Creating Learning Communities is a landmark book that brings together a wealth of real-world information and innovative theoretical thinking on the present and future state of education. In recent years alternative educators and homeschooling families have looked beyond the routines and structures of the conventional school classroom and developed more open-ended, community-based, collaborative programs for lifelong learning. This book features home-school resource centres, democratic schools, Internet-linked
distance learning programs and other pioneering efforts to redesign education for the twenty-first century. More than thirty leading activists and writers in the alternative education and homeschooling movements have contributed original chapters to this visionary gathering of ideas, including Linda Dobson, Mary Leue, Jerry Mintz, Pat Farenga, Don Glines, Wayne Jennings, Sandy Hurst, Wendy Priesnitz, Katharine Houk and Dayle Bethel.
Creating Learning Communities tells the stories of successful programs for lifelong learning and describes how they work. A section on "philosophical roots" explores the differences between the industrial-age model of mass schooling and emerging models of community-based learning. The authors challenge common assumptions about curriculum, testing, grading and management, and portray a way of learning that arises naturally and organically through experience and active involvement in the world around the
learner.
Parents, educators, policymakers and teacher educators will be inspired and informed by this book's straight-forward prose and delightful photos. Contact names and addresses are given for most of the models presented, and a resource directory describes organizations and publications that can help readers grow their own learning communities.
For our children, for ourselves, for each other, and for our planet, a new kind of world is envisioned here - a world of true learning communities.
ISBN 1 885580 04 5
Paperback, 378 pages, 815g, 180mm x250mm, illustrated.
back to Book Reviews
Was this article helpful? Was it worth $1.00 to you?
Your gift of $1 or more helps to keep this site operating
offering encouragement
and reassurance to families
wanting
better outcomes for their children.
Beverley Paine with her children, and their home educated children, relaxing at home.
Together with the support of my family, my aim is to help parents educate their children in stress-free, nurturing environments. In addition to building and maintaing this website, I continue to create and manage local and national home educating networks, help to organise conferences and camps, as well as write for, edit and produce newsletters, resource directories and magazines. I am an active supporter of national, state, regional and local home education groups.
"You've been an inspiration to me, I love the way
you really listen to people." Vanessa
"Whenever I read your writing I always come away
with increased confidence in my ability to provide and
share a wonderful learning journey with my family!" Davina
"Your guidance, understanding, support and words of
wisdom changed our lives. We now offer support and
organise many homeschooling events for others." Lesley
"Thank you once again for your prompt and friendly service.
I am convinced that your books are going to add
quality and peace of mind to my journey of teaching my kids
at home! Just from studying your website, until almost
2am
in the morning, I 've been encouraged!" Louisa
"Thank you for all your many,many reassuring words
over many, many years. You probably don't know exactly how
valuable you are to the Australian Home Education community.
I've been reading your stuff for maybe 8 years or more now.
And I'm very grateful." Gythaa
Want to learn how to write your own education plans
to suit your unique children's individual learning needs?
Or you are looking for quality curriculum and teaching tips...
Comprehensive 3 workbook 'how to home ed' course
covering the essential skills you need
successfully home educate your children
|
|
Welcome to the World of Home Education
and Learning without School!
We began educating our children in 1985, when our eldest was five. In truth, we had helped them learn what they need to learn since they were born. I am a passionate advocate of allowing children to learn unhindered by unnecessary stress and competition, meeting developmental needs in ways that suit their individual learning styles and preferences. Ours was a homeschooling, unschooling and natural learning family! There are hundreds of articles on this site to help you build confidence as a home educating family. We hope that your home educating adventure is as satisfying as ours was! Beverley Paine
3 ESSENTIAL STEP BY STEP GUIDES
Let experienced home educators Beverley, Tamara and April walk you through HOW to create a learning plan that builds on solid foundations that works for YOUR family AND ticks all the boxes for home educaton registration!
|
Tap into Beverley's
experience
through her books
"Your books, your blogs helped me beyond words... they helped me to find comfort in knowing it is ok to choose exactly what is best for my family." Nisha
"Your books and information are mind blowing and already I am feeling good about this new experience." Diane
"Your guidance, understanding, support & words of wisdom changed our lives." Leslie
"I feel specially inspired by Beverley's words and, the more I read her comments, the more inspired I feel, since my need for support, respect for different parenting styles, and information are fully met." Marijo
|
 |
|
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice. This site merges and incorporates 'Homeschool Australia' and 'Unschool Australia'.
The Educating Parent acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners, the Custodians of Australia, and pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people viewing this website.
Advertise on this site.
Home education is a legal alternative
to school education in Australia.
State and Territory governments are responsible
for regulating home education and have different
requirements, however home educating families
are able to develop curriculum and learning programs
to suit the individual needs of their children.
Without revenue from advertising
by educational suppliers and Google Ads
we could not continue to provide information
to home educators. Please support us by letting
our advertisers know that you found them on
The Educating Parent. Thanks!
|
About
Thank you for visiting!