by Mike Duralia

Created on: May 16, 2010

I am a product of the traditional school system.  I was in a parochial school from K-8, then public high school and public universities.  I "learned" how to operate in the "system" and got very good grades.  Upon graduation, I had a lot of knowledge but very little understanding.

While I agree that classroom teaching can help you obtain the concepts and techniques for particular skills (e.g. doing algebra, solving chemistry equations, determining the force on an object), one does not truly gain understanding without doing. 

Driving a vehicle with a manual transmission is a perfect example.  Read as many books on the topic that you like.  Will you KNOW how to shift gears?  How to get the vehicle rolling from a stop?  When to shift up and when to shift down?  What gear to select when shifting down?  All these are necessary skills that you must develop to drive the car and you develop and intuitive understanding.  Think about it....do you look at the speedometer or the tachometer to decide when to shift gears?  No...you just "know" when you need to do it and how to do it...understanding you gain from experience.

I learned so many important things outside of the classroom.  I learned how to repair cars working with my dad on our family vehicles.  I also learned some plumbing, wood building, electrical, etc. the same way.  I learned to cook working in the kitchen with my mom.  No one taught me these things in "school" and there was no curriculum at home...but I learned just fine.

I also learned a lot about computers, setting up networks, making databases, using MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint all without formal classes or "school".  I have learned a LOT more since I was out of school...and a lot of my lessons were very expensive.  It motivated me to write a book to help others avoid some of the same mistakes I made...The Real Life 101 Handbook.

I believe "unschooling" causes confusion for many who do not understand the principles.  I'm not sure our current educational system can ever be restructured to educate our children; the establishment is convinced it knows what is best and is committed to it's mission to create "good workers."   

My wife and I are teaching our boys 5 & 8 at home...I prefer to use the term "self learning."  Our classroom is ALWAYS in session;  every event, every moment is a learning opportunity.  Our boys enjoy discovering things that interest them and oftentimes take us in directions we would not have gone otherwise.  It is beautiful to watch and experience...

Only when we ALL realize that experience is the only method for true learning will education do its job properly.

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