Thanks for posting. I agree with your assessment that public schooling currently produces drones and not well educated individuals. But would you agree that the system was created in a different age and could consequently be updated? Unschooling ideas are not incompatible with government/public schools. They just haven't been adapted to them yet. Could we update the public school system to reflect these new ideas?
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I don't think that the public schools will adapt.
But private schools could.
There is something called the "Sudbury School" where they Unschool at a school.
From what I understand, the children have no schedule for the day. All ages are mixed together.
There are sections of the building that specialize in different topics like a science lab, music room, math skills room, etc. And the learning assistants (teachers) are available in each room. The child decides what he wants to do that day and goes and does it. He can ask for assistance when he wants to.
I would love to have something like that around here where the children could go a couple of days out of the week.
I regularly invite parents (for example fellow parishioners and educators) to bring their children to visit my workspaces. One of the most inspiring activities for bright young people is seeing "how it is done" in terms of a skilled designer working with tools. In my case, those tools tend to be CAD programs on computers (circuit design, PCB layout, 3D modeling), 3D printers, and electronic measurement equipment like multimeters and oscilloscopes...
I also design and build astronomical equipment, an interest I've enjoyed since childhood. My granddaughter has accompanied me to the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference more than once.
Informal, voluntary settings for learning are optimal.
I'm guessing you live in Canada based on your username. Why do you feel they can't adapt? After all they're government controlled and we are in principle the government. (Democratic countries of course) Public schools produced a well educated population in the past. I'm not convinced that it can't do it again given some reform efforts. Many people rely on public schools and a democracy relies on a well educated and discerning population. They're mutually reinforcing elements of a strong civil society.
So many people have tried to change the public schools, and it just hasn't worked. Meanwhile their children suffer in the schools while the parents fight for change.
Public programs tend to be run badly.
I think that the only thing that might change public schools is if enough people leave the system, either to homeschool or by choosing private schools instead. If enough people do that they just maybe they will start to realize that they can't continue to be as terrible as they are because they are losing their 'customers.'