By Idzie Desmarais Every now and then, someone talks about what type of people unschooling “produces.” They want to know about the products at the end of the line. I flinch, a little, when I see that. I know the phrasing isn’t intentionally bad. Usually, people are genuinely curious and not […]
Some problems can be solved best by taking a break from trying to solve them. By Peter Gray Ph.D. Freedom to Learn I begin this essay by listing five quite striking, possibly counterintuitive findings from research on problem solving. 1. People who show the symptoms of ADHD—notably, a tendency to be easily distracted […]
www.shutterstock.com In the past decade, federal government agencies and their state regulators have packaged most things in education in Australia. Big education decisions, like what to teach and what should be tested, are largely made in capital cities. These moves have all been made in the name of improving standards, […]
By Peter Gray Ph.D. Freedom to Learn Converging evidence shows a major shift toward independence around age four. My earliest clear memories of events I experienced, which are not simply memories of stories told to me about my childhood, are from when I was 4 years old. I know, because those memories are clearly situated […]
Attending an elite college provides no long-term advantage to most students. By Peter Gray Ph.D. Freedom to Learn It’s no secret that young people today are stressed. A poll by the American Psychological Association revealed that high school kids are the most stressed out people in America and 83% of […]
Credit: Jamesboy Nuchaikong/Shutterstock) Ah, adolescence. A time of change, of navigating awkward social situations, figuring out who you are, maybe holding down that first job or focusing on extracurriculars — all while juggling the demands of school. And for most teens, managing all of this happens on too little sleep. To […]
If they ask, tell them the truth. www.shutterstock.com Ah yes, December. Christmas trees and decorations are popping up in shop windows, the weather is warming up, and the school holiday period looms. This may be exciting or distressing, depending on your relationship with your family. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. But, […]
Pursuit of passions requires time for play and self-directed education. By Peter Gray Ph.D. Freedom to Learn This post is a somewhat modified version of the transcript of a TEDx talkI delivered in May, 2018. Follow your passions. That’s what almost every commencement speaker says to the new graduates. It’s almost cruel. If all you’ve […]
Writing for pleasure improves long-term learning outcomes in a range of areas, including maths and science. www.shutterstock.com NAPLAN results indicate a decline in students’ ability to write. Outcomes in literacy, including writing, affect student achievement across multiple subject areas (including maths and science). There is a clear link between students being engaged with writing and […]
It makes sense for children in the early stages of learning to read to be given decodable books. www.shutterstock.com A child’s early experiences with books both at home and later in school have the potential to significantly affect future reading performance. Parents play a key role in building oral language and literacy […]