Discussion of UTNE Reader

greenspun.com : LUSENET : MEd Cohort III : One Thread

UTNE READER (How I got my DIY degree) This article was interesting in the fact that it was about a man who dropped out of school and turned to self-education and real life learning. The author states that self-education is mainly about problem solving. Whether in school or outside of it, one of the most difficult things to do is find ways to solve problems. The way the author approaches his self-education is he is always putting himself in different learning environments with difficult problems to attack. From living in poor neighborhoods, to traveling to different continents, to changing fields of study, he is always looking for creative ways to learn what he wants to know. No matter what your opinion may be on this approach, the one constant is motivation. Without motivation to seek out challanges a person will go nowhere fast. The author does have many good ideas such as go to libraries, use the internet, attend conferences, team up with others, don't be afraif to ask for help, and so on. In my opinion, he succeeds in his approach because he most likely uses common sense. With that said, I tend to believe that most individuals who quit school would be more apt to end up working in a factory production line, or Burger King, or living a life none of us would want our children to lead. Although the author seems to be successful in his approach, I am pretty sure the odds are against most people who choose this route. Most individuals who quit school will not be as motivated as the author of this article. He downplays the importance of school and argues about the cost involved with schooling. He places emphasis on exploring many job opportunities to broaden knowledge. I'm pretty sure most of us feel we would not be where we are today without our education. The topic and approach are investing. I feel, however, that the use of his approach tied in along with an education would be a much more effective approach.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 1999

Moderation questions? read the FAQ