DISCUSSION FORUM - startingtohomeschool2024-03-19T13:47:27Zhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/feed/allWhat We Can Learn From Homeschoolinghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/what-we-can-learn-from-homeschooling2015-02-02T19:47:54.000Z2015-02-02T19:47:54.000ZMelanie Borrego, Ph.D.https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/MelanieBorregoPhD<div><p>I'd love it if some of my colleagues here would read and comment on my new article--it's just been published in a newish online education journal titled Hybrid Pedagogy, and it would be great to show the editors that homeschooling does initiate some great conversation (and open the door for other publications from our group, perhaps?). Thanks in advance!</p><p></p><p>Melanie Borrego</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.hybridpedagogy.com/journal/can-learn-homeschooling/">http://www.hybridpedagogy.com/journal/can-learn-homeschooling/</a></p><p></p><p></p></div>Reigniting Your Child's Passion for Learning and Living Through Unschoolinghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/reigniting-your-child-s-passion-for-learning-and-living-through2014-08-05T00:00:01.000Z2014-08-05T00:00:01.000ZLaurie A. Couturehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LaurieACouture<div><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><strong>Name and Title:</strong> <br />Laurie A. Couture, Author of <em>Instead of Medicating and Punishing</em> and Attachment Parenting/Unschooling Coach <br /> <br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><strong>Organization Name</strong>:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">LaurieACouture.com</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Co-Presenter Name(s):</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Brycen R. R. Couture, Grown unschooler; Vocalist and songwriter of Serenade II Darkness; Artisan; son of Laurie</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">New England in the USA</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">English</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><strong>Target Audience(s):</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Parents and youth who are considering unschooling; unschooling families getting started; unschooling families who are seeking support and inspiration</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Short Session Description (one line):</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Laurie and her grown unschooled son, Brycen discuss how youth can reignite their innate passion for learning and living through the freedom of unschooling.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Children are each born with an innate passion for learning and a unique purpose to contribute to the world in a creative manner. Traditional schooling, with its structure of forced academics, confinement, time-stealing and denial of children's basic needs often strangles children's innate passion and craving for learning and creating, especially for artistic, musical and kinesthetic learners. Media and screen addiction are also responsible for distracting youth from their creative talents, from physical activities and from engaging in real world adventures.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Unschooling is not a new trend, nor is it a new way of learning. Although the term "unschooling" was coined by the late homeschool pioneer, John Holt in 1977, the practice of children living and learning in freedom, through play and exploration, is as old as humanity. Nature intended youth of all ages, from infants and toddlers to older children and adolescents, to learn through play, exploration, creative expression, movement, family and social interaction and by following one's passions, interests and abilities.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Although unschooling is nature's intent for all children, no two young people will venture on their unschooling journey in the same manner. Some youth prefer a more structured approach to learning, while many youth crave freedom and constant stimulation. Most youth need a combination of both. Unschooling caters to all three learning styles (kinesthetic, visual, auditory) and all seven forms of intelligence!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Laurie will be discussing learning theory, unschooling in the context of attachment parenting, how unschooling meets the developmental needs of youth and how our Hunter-Gatherer tribal ancestors "unschooled" for millennia in the context of "attachment parenting". She will discuss the unschooling journey of her family and how families can get started on their own unschooling journey, today, whether your child is 5 or 17!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Brycen will be discussing some of his unschooling experiences and how unschooling met his needs as a learner, musician, artist and human being. He will discuss how unschooling allowed him to pursue his music career, start a small business and focus on community service, family and friends. He will also be discussing the dilemmas of working through dealing with the expectations of the "outside world" when people who live by traditional views of schooling, growing up, work and play do not value freedom in young people to live, grow and meet milestones on their own unique time tables. He will also discuss how he dealt with the constraints of state homeschool regulations.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Both Laurie and Brycen will address many other issues relating to unschooling as well, including how to unschool in a way to fit state regulations, eliminating media focus, increasing community involvement, how to meet friends and how start homeschool groups.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Participants will walk away with the knowledge to embark on their own family unschool adventure!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;">Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><a href="http://www.LaurieACouture.com">www.LaurieACouture.com</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SerenadeIIDarkness">www.facebook.com/SerenadeIIDarkness</a></span></p></div>Incorporating a Digital Learning Platform in Homeschool Learning Environments To Improve Learning Outcomeshttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/incorporating-a-digital-learning-platform-in-homeschool-learning2014-08-01T16:18:01.000Z2014-08-01T16:18:01.000ZNoel Kuriakoshttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/NoelKuriakos<div><p dir="ltr"><span>Your Name and Title: <strong>Noel Kuriakos</strong>, <em>Quantified Teacher, Technologist</em></span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: <strong>USA</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Language in Which You Will Present: <strong>English</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Target Audience(s): Parents, Homeschool Teachers, Publishers, Content Creators</span></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Short Session Description (one line): I<strong>ncorporating a Digital Learning Platform to improve learning outcomes.</strong></span></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):Learn how to incorporate a <strong><span style="color:#333399;">digital learning platform</span></strong> to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">improve learning outcomes</span> through connected learning, cooperative learning and social learning. DLPs can</span></p><ul><li><span style="text-decoration:underline;">reduce manual effort</span> by utilizing organized, online resources to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">create customized curriculum</span> content for individualized learners. </li><li><span style="text-decoration:underline;">create engaging learning environments</span> that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, on any device by any learner, so that learning can occur in a fluid, and natural manner. </li><li>be used to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">share curricula, content, assessments and assignments</span> by bringing homeschoolers together in a virtual environment. </li><li>allows content creators and publishers to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">publish their content in an economically efficient manner</span>. </li><li>provides instant, up-to-date analytics to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">track and monitor learning outcomes</span> so that the right intervention and resources can be assigned at the right time. </li><li>also be used <span style="text-decoration:underline;">for test preparation</span>, or for any learning/knowledge based activity that requires repeated practice.</li></ul><p> </p></div>Homeschooling Through a California Charter Schoolhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/homeschooling-through-a-california-charter-school2014-07-31T14:29:29.000Z2014-07-31T14:29:29.000ZTerri L Novacekhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/TerriLNovacek<div><p>Your Name and Title: Terri Novacek, Executive Director of Element Education, Inc<br /><br /> Co-Presenter Name(s):<br /><br /> Area of the World from Which You Will Present: San Diego, CA<br /><br /> Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /><br /> Target Audience(s): R-4 parents and traditional school parents who want to learn more about homeschooling through a charter school<br /><br /> Short Session Description (one line): Discussion of the pros and cons of homeschooling through a charter school.<br /><br /> Full Session Description (as long as you would like): While every California charter school has its own "culture," each must follow the same laws and regulations. In this session, foundational practices will be presented as well as some of the different approaches schools take to homeschooling. Attendees will develop of list of questions to ask their local homeschool charter schools to ensure a good fit for their family. <br /><br /> Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://www.myelement.org">www.myelement.org</a> ; <a href="http://www.theaplus.org">www.theaplus.org</a> ; <a href="http://www.calcharters.org">www.calcharters.org</a></p></div>Be Your Own Geek: Increase Your Skills to Teach Techhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/increase-your-digital-skills-online-and-in-person2014-07-31T01:48:12.000Z2014-07-31T01:48:12.000ZKim Belairhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/KimBelair<div><p>Your Name and Title: Erin Lorandos, Librarian I at the Mesa Public Library<br /> <br /> Co-Presenter Name(s): Kim Belair, Cherise Mead<br /> <br /> Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Arizona, United States</p><p><br /> Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /> <br /> Target Audience(s): Adults, students and their teachers<br /> <br /> Short Session Description (one line): Looking for resources to teach technology? Look no further! We'll talk about free resources you can use in your classroom!<br /> <br /> Full Session Description (as long as you would like): There are many resources teachers can use in their classes to facilitate teaching technology and computer programs. Many public libraries also have computer classes that students may be able to take, free of charge. We will highlight some of our favorite sites and resources, and then have a discussion about what our local libraries may be offering as well!<br /> <br /> Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: (examples) <a href="http://digitallearn.org/">http://digitallearn.org/</a>, <a href="http://www.gcflearnfree.org/">http://www.gcflearnfree.org/</a></p></div>Expanding the Boundaries of the Home by Utilizing Your Public Libraryhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/free-educational-resources-from-your-public-library2014-07-30T19:46:07.000Z2014-07-30T19:46:07.000ZKim Belairhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/KimBelair<div><p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong> Kimberly Belair, Librarian I and Technology Specialist<br /> <br /> <strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong> Erin Lorandos and Cherise Mead<br /> <br /> <strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong> Arizona, United States<br /> <br /> <strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong> English<br /> <br /> <strong>Target Audience(s):</strong> Adults<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong> Learn how to access free online resources for your research, entertainment, and edification!<br /> <br /> <strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</strong></p><p>In this session, participants will learn about a variety of free online resources available to public library card holders. Many public libraries allow their cardholders to borrow free eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies and television shows. They can download free music and magazines to keep. Similarly, they can conduct research such as through our Gale databases; learn a new language with Rocket or Powerspeak Languages; discover how to blog, create a website or design a new app using Treehouse, or create the ultimate reading list using NoveList and Books & Authors. Modern libraries are more than just books. We are a community resource meant to engage, enlighten, and empower you! Find out about the range of free services at the Mesa Public Library and apply this knowledge to services from your own local library.</p><p><br /> <strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong> <a href="http://www.mesalibrary.org">http://www.mesalibrary.org</a></p><p> </p></div>How To Do Alternative Homeschoolinghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/how-to-do-alternative-homeschooling2014-07-30T15:39:16.000Z2014-07-30T15:39:16.000ZZahra Lightwayhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/ZahraLightway<div><p><strong> Presenter:</strong> Zahra Lightway M.Ed Founder: Light Way Schools <br /> <br /> <strong>Location:</strong> Asheville, North Carolina<br /> <br /> <strong>Language:</strong> English<br /> <br /> <strong>Target Audience(s):</strong> Homeschool parents and parents thinking about homeschooling<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Description<span style="color:#888888;">:</span></strong> How To Use Alternative Educational Principles To Create A Homeschooling Program<br /> <br /> <strong>Full Session Description:</strong> “Traditional education done at home” works for many, but not for all. If you are a parent who wants “something” more for your children, this session will teach you the core principles of progressive/alternative education and get you on track for creating a program using these principles. So if the terms ‘nature-based”, “wisdom guided”, “deep learning” and “social justice” have you saying “Yes, yes, yes!” you will benefit from this session.</p><p>You may also be interested in signing up the for three week MINI course on our website. It’s complimentary. <br /> <br /> Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://www.lightwayschools.org">www.lightwayschools.org</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7159811674,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">Making The Move.pdf</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7159811884,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">Connect Contrbute Co-Create..pdf</a></p></div>The Importance of Oracy in Literacy for Primary Childrenhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/the-importance-of-oracy-in-literacy-for-primary-children2014-07-30T09:06:38.000Z2014-07-30T09:06:38.000ZFrances Engelhardthttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/FrancesEngelhardt<div><p>Your Name and Title: Frances Engelhardt</p><p>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: London, England</p><p>Language in Which You Will Present: English</p><p>Target Audience(s):Teachers and Parents</p><p>Short Session Description (one line): The discussion focuses on the value of learning theory which supports social learning and interaction when looking at books as well as the importance of oral language development in storytelling as a bulding block for reading and writing.</p><p>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):<br />The discussion will look at learning theories that support discussion and value student contribution and the effects of this on learning. It will also be looking at research that I carried out for my Masters in English Education and the findings of my research and others and the importance of supporting oral language development and its effect on reading and writing skills.</p></div>To University from Unschooling: Why the digital generation needs adults more than contenthttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/to-university-from-unschooling-why-the-digital-generation-needs2014-07-29T22:28:54.000Z2014-07-29T22:28:54.000ZJudy Arnallhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/JudyArnall<div><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Your Name and Title:</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Judy Arnall, BA, DTM, Certified Canadian Family Life Educator</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">School or Organization Name:</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Unschooling Canada Association</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Calgary, Alberta, Canada</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Language in Which You Will Present:</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">English</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Target Audience(s):</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">General, Education Professionals</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Short Session Description (one line):</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Explore the secret of engaged learning</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Unschooling is learner determined education. Many people worry that freedom in curriculum, pace, and learning styles will hinder one's chances of attending post-secondary education in the future should they decide to attend. With a background knowledge of child development, multiple intelligences, and temperament, Judy aims to educate the attendee on why unschooling is a critical alternative education for the digital generation. </font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">This presentation will include:</font></span></p><ul><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">The future of education or what are we educating for?</font></span></div></li><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Research</font></span></div></li><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">7 Reasons why children need adults more than content</font></span></div></li><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Unschooling explained</font></span></div></li><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Differences between unschooling and school and homeschool</font></span></div></li><li><div style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Common concerns addressed</font></span></div></li></ul><p></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3">Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><font size="3"><a href="http://www.professionalparenting.ca">www.professionalparenting.ca</a></font></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';"><a href="http://www.unschoolingcanada.ca"><font size="3">www.unschoolingcanada.ca</font></a></span></p><p style="margin:0cm 0cm 0pt;"></p><p></p><p class="attachment"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7159812072,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank">JudyArnall (Small).jpg</a></p></div>Homeschooling: Beginning (or Beginning Again) with the End in Mindhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/homeschooling-beginning-or-beginning-again-with-the-end-in-mind2014-07-25T23:10:24.000Z2014-07-25T23:10:24.000ZLori Lanehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LoriLane<div><p>Your Name and Title: Lori Lane, Founder and Executive Director of Artios Academies<br /><br />Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A<br /><br />Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Colorado/USA<br /><br />Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /><br />Target Audience(s): All Homeschoolers<br /><br />Short Session Description (one line): </p><p>It's easy to become confused about homeschooling. Beginning with the end in mind makes that path more clear.<br /><br />Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</p><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span>As homeschooling has grown and expanded, so have the</span> <span>reasons for educating at home. With all of this growth and “improvement” it is easy to forget the real beau</span><span>ties of homeschooling which include: flexibility, individualizing instruction and family life. Why would we mimic and bring into our homes a system that is broken and that repeatedly fails its students? Be reminded</span> <span>of the beauties of homeschooling and learn ways to get back to the “real reasons” we chose homeschool</span><span>ing in the first place. </span>By beginning with the "end in mind" and planning our lives accordingly, life and homeschooling becomes less complicated and our paths become more clear. </p></div></div></div><p><br /><br />Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</p><p><a href="http://www.artiosacademies.com">www.artiosacademies.com</a></p><p><a href="http://www.anewwayofeducating.com">www.anewwayofeducating.com</a></p></div>Are You With Me Now? What Do You Mean By Personalization?https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/are-you-with-me-now-what-do-you-mean-by-personalization2014-07-24T21:57:03.000Z2014-07-24T21:57:03.000ZElliot Washorhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/ElliotWashor<div><p></p><blockquote><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_extra"><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote"><p dir="ltr"><span>Your Name and Title: Elliot Washor</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>School or Organization Name</strong>: Big Picture Learning</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Co-Presenter Name(s): n/a</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</strong>: Big Picture Learning's Annual Big Bang Conference, Las Vegas, NV</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Language in Which You Will Present</strong>: English</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Target Audience(s)</strong>: Educators, Foundations, Policy Makers</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Short Session Description (one line)</strong>: Personalization in the Real World</span></p><p dir="ltr"></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Full Session Description</strong> (as long as you would like):</span></p><p><span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you with me now? </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you mean by personaliz</span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ation?</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"When the information network promises to eliminate any reason to travel or to touch something palpable other than a keyboard or a mouse, we search all the more intensely for the personal and the tactile." </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">- Ralph Caplan</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The way educators and business people are now using the terms personalized learning or personalization is really baffling me. There have been loads of articles and books written about how Big Picture Learning continues to be at the forefront of innovation because of how well we strive to know our students. In a recent book, Redesigning Education: Shaping Learning Systems Around the Globe, by the Innovation Unit - a Team of GELP, we are featured as a non-profit organization “providing students with a personalized learning experience driven by their passions and anchored in internships out in the community.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been in schools and with organizations that want to work with us because they want to get better at personalizing their schools and knowing their students better, but what do people mean by</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">personal</span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ization? A recent article in the New Yorker on Amazon by George Packer pointed out that to Amazon personalization means collecting data analytics and statistical probability. A group called the Personalization team (P13N) comprised of engineers at Amazon employ algorithms that use customers’ histories to recommend future purchases, and in the near future, Amazon CEO <span>Jeff Bezos</span> reported that our packages from Amazonia will soon be delivered by drones.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So with all of this technology, where is the person and the personal in personalization? I got curious about this question and found out that when Bezos was asked: What's the ultimate in personalization? He responded, "When you go into a bar and sit down and the bartender puts a whiskey in front of you without having to ask what you want." For me, this begs the simple question, what if you changed your mind and want something else? How would the bartender know? What a waste of a drink. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The digital technology world, including many in education technology, wants personalization to mean </span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">that technologies anticipate what you need next and digitally deliver it on a massive scale to each and every student. As Packer points out, to Amazon engineers all content is mockingly referred to verbage, like garbage. It just doesn’t matter what the content is because to them it is all the same.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Since our beginnings, personalization </span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">has been at the core of our work. We strive for schools to be communities where every student is known through their interests, academics and how they are doing socially and emotionally in and outside of school. Here the twist is that the student is known well because it is the student who tells and the teacher who listens and observes rather than adults who are only telling what they know or suggesting what you need to know.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In this real time environment, there are lots of variables to how, when, what, and why a student learns. These variables change all the time and they are hard to measure and hard to predict. The good news is that this keeps all of us engaged and on our toes. Figuring out things is what we are good at as humans. It makes everyone a part of a community that listens, observes, and communicates.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Structures in schools — like personalized learning plans that start with each student’s voice, choice, and interests where parents, teachers, and mentors are involved in understanding and developing the next steps, courses, and projects a student will do ‑— need to be part of any learning environment and can become a great digital technology platform. Instead what we get is a hijacking of words and terms that sound like education is personalized. Sadly, the real practice these words symbolize is missing from far too many schools and most digital platforms.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Much more than a prediction or some standardized pre-formatted lesson plan of what is next for a student, personalized learning is complex and variable where teachers, students, and mentors in the process pay attention to multiple measures and high standards coming from school and the world at-large. This is deeper learning that includes academics, social/emotional, and 21<sup>st</sup> century skills.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">These dual meanings of personalization from the business and education worlds create lots of issues. Algorithms and school brands replace human relationships. Qualitative assessments are cast aside because they take longer to do and are deemed too expensive. But this is precisely what personalizing learning is.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">International assessments report that if students are not challenged appropriately or do not have real choices, they will become bored and disengaged. And although state and school assessments done appropriately are important, the most powerful forms of assessment are about what matters to the student from people who know them well and their own self-assessments. No algorithm can perform this way.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We have to decide. Do you want Godfather style personalization? "It’s nothing personal. It’s strictly business.”</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span><strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session</strong>:</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.leavingtolearn.org">www.leavingtolearn.org</a></p><p><a href="http://www.bigpicturelearning.org">www.bigpicturelearning.org</a></p></blockquote></div></div></div></blockquote></div>Myths of Education - Truths I've Learned Through the Homeschool Journeyhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/myths-of-education-truths-i-ve-learned-through-the-homeschool2014-07-24T15:06:41.000Z2014-07-24T15:06:41.000ZHeather Martinsonhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/HeatherMartinson<div><p></p><p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong><br />Heather Martinson, Owner Celebration Education and OChomeschooling.com</p><p><br /><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">Co-Presenter Name(s):</span><br /><br /><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p>California, USA<br /><br /><strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong><br />English</p><p><br /><strong>Target Audience(s):</strong></p><p>Families interested in non-traditional education</p><p><br /><strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong></p><p>Exposing how tactics used in traditional classrooms can actually detract from learning.</p><p><br /><strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</strong></p><p></p><p>We will debunk the following myths:</p><ul><li>A school's first concern is to the physical safety of the children</li><li>Children only learn when they are forced to</li><li>Only Linguistic and Mathematical intelligence matter</li><li>More time at a desk means more learning is happening</li><li>Passed tests is evidence that learning has happened</li><li>High standards means that all children will be smarter</li><li>More schooling means more success in life</li><li>Homework ensures that children will learn</li><li>Children can only learn from credentialed teachers</li><li>Learning is hard and boring work</li></ul><p></p><p>Learn the truths that supersede these fallacies and what you can do to infuse your learning with more dynamic and meaningful experiences!</p><p><br /><span>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</span></p><p><span><a href="http://www.celebrationeducation.com">www.celebrationeducation.com</a></span></p><p><span><a href="http://www.ochomeschooling.com">www.ochomeschooling.com</a></span></p><p></p><p></p></div>Making School Optional: Helping Families Embrace Self-Directed Learninghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/making-school-optional-helping-families-embrace-self-directed2014-07-23T20:37:07.000Z2014-07-23T20:37:07.000ZKenneth Danfordhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/KennethDanford<div><p><strong>Your Name and Title: </strong>Kenneth Danford, Co-Founder and Executive Director of North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens</p><p> </p><p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: </strong> Massachusetts</p><p> </p><p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present: </strong> English</p><p> </p><p><strong>Target Audience(s): </strong></p><p>People who want to support school-bound students and families to use homeschooling, including existing homeschoolers, veteran homeschoolers, and disillusioned teachers.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Short Session Description (one line): </strong></p><p>Conversation about what kinds of support are necessary to make homeschooling a viable, inspiring, and sustainable option for any interested family.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Full Session Description (as long as you would like): </strong></p><p>It’s one thing to appreciate the freedom of homeschooling-unschooling-self directed learning. It is another thing to make this approach possible for children, teens, and parents who feel stuck in school. Many of these families have working parents, single parents, and other obstacles to considering this approach. How can those of us who understand the power and flexibility of this approach make it available to any interested family? I’ve been working on this question for 18 years (!), and have supported hundreds of families to leave school. Now I am interested in helping disillusioned teachers leave school as well and start similar programs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.northstarteens.org">www.northstarteens.org</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.liberatedlearnersinc.org">www.liberatedlearnersinc.org</a></p><p> </p><p>Ken’s Tedx Talk, Amherst College, November 2013</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq1rXdDWXrM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq1rXdDWXrM</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>A Journey: Home Schooling Special Learning Needshttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/a-journey-home-schooling-special-learning-needs2014-07-23T15:17:25.000Z2014-07-23T15:17:25.000ZMandi Sharkeyhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/MandiSharkey<div><p><b>Your Name and Title: </b>Mandi Sharkey, Certified Teacher</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: </b>Alberta, Canada</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Language in Which You Will Present: </b>English</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Target Audience(s): </b>Special learning needs home school parents & teachers, anyone interested in the journey</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Short Session Description (one line): </b>Sharing my experience & journey home schooling and re-integrating students with special needs.</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Full Session Description (as long as you would like): </b></p><p>I home school students with mild/moderate special learning needs with the aim of reintegrating them back into the school system at middle school, high school, or university level and I would like to share the journey we have been on!</p><p> </p><p><b>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</b></p></div>Science and Homeschooling a Winning Combinationhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/science-and-homeschooling-a-winning-combination2014-07-22T23:35:13.000Z2014-07-22T23:35:13.000ZBlair Lee M.S.https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/BlairLeeMS<div><p><b>Your Name and Title</b>: Blair Lee M.S., I am the author of REAL Science Odyssey Biology 2 and Chemistry 1</p><p><br /> <b>Co-Presenter Name(s):</b> N/A<br /> <br /> <b>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</b>: California, USA<br /> <br /> <b>Language in Which You Will Present</b>: English<br /> <br /> <b>Target Audience(s):</b> Adults<br /> <br /> <b>Short Session Description</b>: I am a passionate advocate of homeschooling and learning science. This talk will focus on how to take those elements unique to the homeschooling environment and use them to craft a world class science education for your child.</p><p><br /> <b>Full Session Description</b>: Science and homeschooling go together like peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, coffee and cream… Of all the academic subjects, science is the one that is the best fit for the homeschooling environment. Why? Because science is best taught where there is the time and space to ponder, research, explore, and get up and experiment. My name is Blair Lee. I was a college professor teaching chemistry and biology at community colleges before retiring to homeschool my son. I also write secular science textbooks for the REAL Science Odyssey series. As you can imagine, at our house we definitely take time to learn science. My talk will focus on what I have learned about learning and teaching science while homeschooling my son and teaching a homeschool science co-op.</p><p><br /> <b>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session</b>: blairleeblog.worpress.com, <a href="http://www.pandiapress.com/?page_id=20">http://www.pandiapress.com/?page_id=20</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Your Bio</strong>: </p><p>Blair taught chemistry and biology before having her son. She is the author of R.E.A.L. Odyssey Chemistry 1 and Biology 2. These days she devotes most of her time to handcrafted her son's education, AKA homeschooling him and writing RSO Earth and Space 2.</p></div>A Handcrafted educationhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/a-handcrafted-education2014-07-22T23:12:09.000Z2014-07-22T23:12:09.000ZBlair Lee M.S.https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/BlairLeeMS<div><p><span><strong>Your Name and Title</strong>: Blair Lee M.S., I am the author of REAL Science Odyssey Biology 2 and Chemistry 1<br /> <br /> <strong>Co-Presenter Name(s)</strong>: N/A<br /> <br /> <strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</strong>: California, USA<br /> <br /> <strong>Language in Which You Will Present</strong>: English<br /> <br /> <strong>Target Audience(s)</strong>: Adults<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Session Description (one line)</strong>: How to handcraft an education<br /> <br /> <strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like)</strong>:</span> <span>Homeschooling at its finest is about creating a handcrafted education for each homeschooled student. A handcrafted education should focus on the unique strengths, weaknesses, and passions of each student. There are some academic subjects that everybody should know, but even within these subjects there is room to be flexible in a child-led manner. There are other subjects that deserve time and attention because of the skill and desire of that one student, creating an education that is as unique as each student. This workshop will look at how you go about creating the recipe for a handcrafted education that will result in a well-educated child, with lots of options, who loves to learn.</span><span><br /> <br /> <strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session</strong>: This is not really associated with my talk, but I do have a blog: blairleeblog.wordpress.com & a public Facebook page: Blair Lee M.S.</span></p></div>Learn with the world: Global connection and authentic collaborationhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/learn-with-the-world-global-connection-and-authentic2014-07-22T22:23:58.000Z2014-07-22T22:23:58.000ZJulie Lindsayhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/JulieLindsay<div><p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong></p><p>Julie Lindsay<br /> <br /> <strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p>Australia, east coast<br /> <br /> <strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p>English<br /> <br /> <strong>Target Audience(s):</strong></p><p>Home schooled students, Parents, Teachers, Education leaders<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Session Description:</strong></p><p><span style="font:13px Arial;">Learning does not happen in isolation and with new technologies it is possible to learn with the world and join global partners for collaborative work around real topics. </span><br /> <br /> <strong>Full Session Description:</strong></p><p><span style="font:13px Arial;">This session will explore the options for learning beyond the textbook or online course. Connected learning approaches alone with global collaborative projects using emerging technologies has opened doors to all learners. It is imperative learning is not just about the world but in fact takes place with the world. Come and explore strategies (how to connect yourself to the world, digital citizenship challenges, how to be a global collaborator) and resources (a variety of established projects and opportunities shared) that will provide options for home schooled learners to become global digital citizens and integrate new modes of learning.</span><br /> <br /> <strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p><p><a href="http://flatconnections.com">http://flatconnections.com</a></p><p>Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flattening-Classrooms-Engaging-Minds-Collaboration-ebook/dp/B0072VTFTM/ref=ktr_rin_dp">http://www.amazon.com/Flattening-Classrooms-Engaging-Minds-Collaboration-ebook/dp/B0072VTFTM/ref=ktr_rin_dp</a></p></div>From protest to politics: A provocation about the future of learning in the U.S.https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/from-protest-to-politics-a-provocation-about-the-future-of2014-07-22T18:42:12.000Z2014-07-22T18:42:12.000ZScott Ninehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/ScottNine<div><p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong> Scott Nine, Executive Director of IDEA</p><p></p><p><strong>School or Organization Name:</strong> Institute for Democratic Education in America</p><p></p><p><strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong> n/a</p><p></p><p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong> United States</p><p></p><p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong> English</p><p></p><p><strong>Target Audience(s):</strong> Young people, parents, elders, educators, community leaders interested in the learning about IDEA's efforts to influence public narrative and policy in the U.S. and to discuss the future of learning from a lens of equity, social movement building, and the politically possible</p><p></p><p><strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong> I'll share five years of engagement across educational, social, and political sectors, networks, and communities while exploring and offering a provocation about the role "learning alternatives" have to play in an unknown and rapidly changing future.</p><p></p><p><strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like): </strong></p><p></p><p>In the U.S. there has not been a time since the 1960's where the educational landscape has been in as much flux and held as much possibility as the time we are in now. The public narrative about learning, testing, fairness, and options is broadly incoherent. In this session, I'll offer up the lens by which IDEA as an organization and myself as a learner is making about what is happening. Then, I'll share provocations. These provocations will be for my own learning and any participants who join as we consider the intersections of "learning alternatives" with rapid educational, political, and environmental change. What role are "learning alternatives" to play in a broader movement for the transformation of educational paradigms, practices, and policies as it relates to each and every young person across very diverse communities? What can and are we learning from prior waves of change? What does this particular moment ask of these efforts - or offer as possibilities? What does spurring on a larger social movement mean and look like in our day to day lives and efforts?</p><p></p><p><strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.democraticeducation.org">www.democraticeducation.org</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ayearatmissionhill.com">www.ayearatmissionhill.com</a></li></ul><p></p></div>The Future of Everyone's Education Depends on the Success of Homeschoolers and Unschoolershttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/the-future-of-everyone-s-education-depends-on-the-success-of2014-07-21T16:27:28.000Z2014-07-21T16:27:28.000ZClark Aldrichhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/ClarkAldrich<div><p>School or Organization Name: Clark Aldrich Designs</p><p>Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A</p><p>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Eastern Time Zone (Maine)</p><p>Language in Which You Will Present: American, with lots of Ah's and Um's</p><p>Target Audience(s): Anyone interested in the future of education, from homeschoolers and unschoolers to policy people to foundation leaders to teachers and principals.s</p><p>Short Session Description (one line): The Future of Everyone's Education Depends on the Success of Homeschoolers and Unschoolers</p><p>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</p><p>Together, "homeschooling and unschooling" is driving the first education reform movement that does not actually require education to reform. This is critical, because no monopoly ever reformed itself. Clark Aldrich, author of five-ish books including Unschoolng Rules, will discuss the "State of Education Today" through the unique lens of unschooling philosophies, to reveal surprising progress, huge barriers, and incredible opportunities for everyone.</p><p></p><p>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://unschoolingrules.blogspot.com/">http://unschoolingrules.blogspot.com/</a></p></div>Maker Education: An Idea Whose Time Has Comehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/maker-education-an-idea-whose-time-has-come2014-07-20T22:57:33.000Z2014-07-20T22:57:33.000ZJackie Gersteinhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/JackieGerstein<div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-b2da3179-55f9-facc-7e0b-222411992623"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Session Title: Maker Education: An Idea Whose Time Has Come</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Your Name:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Work Title:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> Online Faculty of Masters-Level Education and Education Technology Courses</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">School or Organization Name:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> Boise State, Walden, and Western Governors’ Universities</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Santa Fe, NM, USA</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Language in Which You Will Present:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">English</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Target Audience(s):</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Anyone interested in Maker Educator</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Short Session Description:</span> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">This session provides a short overview of Maker Education through addressing the following:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Maker Education as connected to MAKE, DIY, STEM, STEAM</span></li><li><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Mindset of an Educator as a Maker Educator</span></li><li><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">From Puppets to Robots: An Maker Education Example Curriculum</span></li><li><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Characteristics: Maker Education as an Inclusive, Engaging, Self-Differentiating Instructional Strategy</span></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Full Session Description:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Maker education is gaining credibility and traction in formal (public schools, home schools) and informal (after school programs, library, museums) due to the convergence of several factors:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Do It Yourself Movement</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Open and Free Resources via the Internet</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">A Culture of Sharing, Crowdsourcing, and Participatory Involvement</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Affordable Electronics & Technologies such as 3-D Printers, Arduinos, LittleBits</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Topics Covered:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Overview and Background of Maker Education</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:circle;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><a href="http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/make-steam-giving-maker-education-some-context/" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">MAKE STEAM: Giving Maker Education Some Context</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:circle;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><a href="http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/maker-education-and-experiential-education/" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">Maker Education and Experiential Education</span></a></p></li></ul></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><a href="https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/educator-as-a-maker-educator/" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">Educator as a Maker Educator</span></a></p></li></ul><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7159809886,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7159809886,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7159809886?profile=original" /></a></span></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><a href="http://puppets2robots.wikispaces.com/" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">From Puppets to Robots: An Example Curriculum</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:4pt;"><a href="http://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/steam-and-maker-education-inclusive-engaging-self-differentiating/" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">STEAM and Maker Education: Inclusive, Engaging, Self-Differentiating</span></a></p></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Websites / URLs Associated with Session:</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Educator-as-Maker-ebook/dp/B00LYLQT0Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405867667&sr=1-2" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;background-color:transparent;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;">http://www.amazon.com/Educator-as-Maker-ebook/dp/B00LYLQT0Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405867667&sr=1-2</span></a></p></div>Future-Proof Careers: Preparing Our Kids For Success In Careers That May Not Be Invented Yet!https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/future-proof-careers-preparing-our-kids-for-success-in-careers2014-07-17T20:11:20.000Z2014-07-17T20:11:20.000ZBeth Campbell Dukehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/BethCampbellDuke<div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Your Name and Title:</b> Beth Campbell Duke, The Career Tutor at Personal Brand Academy</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</b> Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Language in Which You Will Present:</b> English</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Target Audience(s):</b> Parents of Teens and Young Adults (Grades 9 and up)</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Short Session Description (one line):</b> Future-Proof Careers: Preparing Our Kids For Success In Careers That May Not Be Invented Yet!</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</b></span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Are you concerned about how to help guide your young adult towards life/work success in today’s labor market? You are not alone.</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">There have been significant changes in the ‘world of work’ over the last few years, and they’re having an impact for all of us.</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">How do we help guide our kids towards life/work success when we may not be all that sure ourselves of how to do it?</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The great news - especially for homeschooling families - is that in times of significant change the best strategy is to focus on some of the basics we’ve moved away from.</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We’ll cover some of the major shifts that are taking place in our culture and economy that have an impact on ‘the world of work’, and address the skills and characteristics (we and) our kids need to have in order to create life/work success.</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We’ll learn WHY:</span></p><ul><li>Our traditional ideas of ‘job security’ are a myth – and where job security today comes from,</li><li>We need to stop arguing about whether to follow our heads or our hearts and get down to the business of real career exploration,</li><li>Failure isn’t just important – it’s critical</li></ul><p class="p1"><span class="s1">… And we’ll cover the 5 career questions that are far more effective than asking, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’</span></p><p class="p2"></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</b> <a href="http://PersonalBrand.Academy" target="_blank">PersonalBrand.Academy</a></span></p></div>Homeschool Conference Proposal Submission: A Study of 75 Grown Unschoolershttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/homeschool-conference-proposal-submission-a-study-of-75-grown2014-07-14T14:59:41.000Z2014-07-14T14:59:41.000ZGina Riley, Ph.D.https://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/GinaRileyPhD<div><p>Your Name and Title:</p><p></p><p>Gina Riley, Ph.D.<span> </span> A Survey of 75 Grown Unschoolers<br /> <br /> Co-Presenter Name(s):<br /> <br /> Area of the World from Which You Will Present:<span> </span> United States<br /> <br /> Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /> <br /> Target Audience(s): Homeschooling/Unschooling parents and researchers and/or those curious about the adult outcomes of homeschoolers/unschoolers.<br /> <br /> Short Session Description (one line): This presentation is a summary of research Peter Gray, Ph.D. and I did on 75 unschooled adults. <br /> <br /> Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</p><p></p><p>After doing a study of 200 + unschooling families, Dr. Peter Gray and I decided to focus on how unschoolers fare in adulthood. A call for research was made in March, and over 75 adults who had been unschooled answered our call for research. Within this workshop, we will discuss how our participants made the decision to unschool, the social experiences of unschoolers, the advantages/disadvantages of unschooling, both as a child and as an adult, choices unschooled adults have made re: higher education and continuing education, and career choices made by unschooled adults.</p><p></p><p>Gina Riley, Ph.D. is an educational psychologist who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Psychology, School Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education at Hunter College in Manhattan and Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Her master's thesis and doctoral dissertation both focused on measures of self-determination and intrinsic motivation in homeschoolers. Dr. Riley’s current research interests include homeschooling and unschooling, intrinsic motivation in education, and the study of learning disabilities. She also holds several certificates in online education, distance learning, and educational technology.</p><p></p><p>Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, animal behavior, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of Psychology (Worth Publishers), a college textbook now in its 6th edition. Most of his recent research and writing has to do with the value of free, unsupervised play for children’s healthy social, emotional, and intellectual development. </p><p></p><p><br /> <br /> Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:<span> </span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn">http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn</a></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p></div>Unschooling and Radical Changes in Eatinghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/unschooling-and-radical-changes-in-eating2014-07-13T19:50:49.000Z2014-07-13T19:50:49.000ZMary Herringtonhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/MaryHerrington<div><p>Your Name and Title: Mary Herrington - Title: Captain SuperMom<br /><br />Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Southeast USA<br /><br />Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /><br />Target Audience(s): Unschooling and Alternative Eating Interest<br /><br />Short Session Description (one line): Explore Gluten Free, Paleo and Vegan and how they work with Unschooling<br /><br />Full Session Description (as long as you would like): Unschooling is about following your passion and learning through living. After a diagnosis of Celiac Disease 5 years ago, I have embarked on a life long study and journey to discover new eating options which also do not include dairy and corn. Let's explore, together, how living an untraditional lifestyle can also spill into an untraditional eating style.<br /><br />Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</p><p></p><p>Once you open your eyes to the world of learning through living, many of us see how the choices we are making are not always benefiting our health. Through our own self education and exploration on nutrition we tend to be drawn to alternative eating styles (gluten free, Paleo, vegan, etc.).</p><p></p><p>Due to a diagnosis of Celiac Disease 5 years ago, I have had to explore this new world of eating with a gusto. Not only can I not do wheat or any cousins to wheat but I also cannot do dairy or corn. My diet consists of a Paleo/Vegan mix. Sounds odd, I know, but it works for us.</p><p></p><p>During the past 5 years, I have worked with nutritionists to assist their clients with the creation of new menu items when faced with a new diagnosis. I have owned a gluten free bakery and closed it when I decided to homeschool my then 12 year old daughter (16 now). </p><p></p><p>I have 2 Facebook pages devoted to different styles of food: gluten free and vegan. I also operate a website devoted to recipes and idea on becoming and maintaining a gluten free lifestyle. I also coach others in going gluten free for the first time. It can be a daunting experience. </p><p></p><p>I would like to share my journey with you - how unschooling has also lead to my un-learning about nutrition and health.</p><p></p><p>To visit my website go to: <a href="http://www.homemadegfmeals.com">http://www.homemadegfmeals.com</a></p></div>Zero is Beautiful: Teaching Mathematics as if People Matteredhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/zero-is-beautiful-teaching-mathematics-as-if-people-mattered2014-07-09T18:08:47.000Z2014-07-09T18:08:47.000ZAravinda Phttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/AravindaP<div><p>Your Name and Title: Aravinda Pillalamarri<br /><br />Co-Presenter Name(s):<br /><br />Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Maryland, USA<br /><br />Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /><br />Target Audience(s): Learners and Parents<br /><br />Short Session Description (one line): How to embrace children's inherent mathematical wonder<br /><br />Full Session Description (as long as you would like): </p><p></p><p>Drawing from personal experiences I will reflect on how we can facilitate / avoid obstructing children as they explore mathematics. </p><p></p><p><span>As artists have urged us to stop telling children what color to use or where to draw, we must also allow for creative expression in the discovery of numbers. We ought to refrain from intruding into the pre-numerate state with our preconceived notions and allow every child to investigate from scratch as if the world had not yet settled on a numbering system, adding system, dimensional system and so on.</span></p><p><br />Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://homeschoolers.in/zero-is-beautiful-teaching-mathematics-as-if-people-mattered/">http://homeschoolers.in/zero-is-beautiful-teaching-mathematics-as-if-people-mattered/</a></p></div>Teaching and Evaluating Digital Literacy for Home Based Learninghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/teaching-and-evaluating-digital-literacy-for-home-based-learning2014-07-06T18:25:34.000Z2014-07-06T18:25:34.000ZLaura Lovedayhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LauraLoveday<div><div><p><strong>Name and Title</strong>: Laura Loveday, MLIS, Academic Reference Librarian<br /><br /><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</strong>: Tampa, FL, U.S.<br /><br /><strong>Language in Which You Will Present</strong>: English<br /><br /><strong>Target Audience(s)</strong>: Parents or tutors of homeschooled children, homeschooled teens and young adults, or anyone interested in educational technology and digital literacy<br /><br /><strong>Short Session Description</strong>: Strategies to help homeschooling families locate and evaluate online resources.<br /><br /><strong>Full Session Description</strong>:<br />Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technology or networks to locate, evaluate, and use information. It is becoming increasingly important in education, the work force, and for the average Internet user. This session will focus on improving digital literacy for homeschooled children and offer teaching suggestions for parents. Parents, as educators, can thoughtfully determine which tools are essential to their digital literacy tool kit. It will provide an overview on how to evaluate the accuracy and objectivity of a website, selecting effective keywords to search a database or database, and helpful search modifiers. </p><p></p><p><strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session</strong>:</p></div><div><a href="http://www.digitalliteracy.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.digitalliteracy.gov/</a> </div><div><a href="http://purposefultechnology.weebly.com/creating-digital-citizens---what-is-digital-literacy.html" target="_blank">http://purposefultechnology.weebly.com/creating-digital-citizens---what-is-digital-literacy.html</a></div></div>An Introduction to Self-Directed Learninghttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/an-introduction-to-self-directed-learning2014-07-04T02:34:31.000Z2014-07-04T02:34:31.000ZLuba Vangelovahttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LubaVangelova<div><p><span>Your Name and Title: Luba Vangelova</span><br /> <br /> <span>Co-Presenter Name(s):</span><br /> <br /> <span>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Washington, DC, United States</span><br /> <br /> <span>Language in Which You Will Present: English</span><br /> <br /> <span>Target Audience(s): Parents, educators, and anyone else with an interest in learning about different educational approaches</span></p><p><br /> <span>Short Session Description (one line): This session will introduce people to the concept of self-directed learning, and the different settings and ways in which it can be applied.</span></p><p><br /> <span>Full Session Description (as long as you would like): Self-directed learning -- education driven by what the student wants to learn -- is a concept that has been gaining favor. It is being practiced, in different forms and to different degrees, in a wide range of settings, including: select classrooms in conventional schools; independent school-within-a-school programs; homes; community learning hubs; homeschool resource centers; and various types of "alternative" schools.</span></p><p></p><p><span>This session will address the following questions: How does self-directed learning differ from conventional education? Why do some parents and educators prefer this approach? Is self-directed learning for everyone? How have self-directed learners fared later in life (including in college and in the career arena)? How are the parents' and educators' roles different in a self-directed learning environment? How does this type of learning affect students' relationships with family members and people within the broader community? What are the range of ways that self-directed learning can be practiced in institutions, in informal groups, and/or in homes? What are the necessary ingredients to success?</span><br /> <br /> <span>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/author/luba/">http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/author/luba/</a>, <a href="http://www.AlternativesToSchool.com">www.AlternativesToSchool.com</a></span></p><p></p><p></p></div>5 Steps to Unleashing the Brilliance of your Childhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/5-steps-to-unleashing-the-brilliance-of-your-child2014-06-30T16:26:21.000Z2014-06-30T16:26:21.000ZKathy Magnussonhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/KathyMagnusson<div><p>Your Name and Title: Kathy Magnusson, M.Ed.</p><p style="text-align:left;"> Youth mentor, program manager, learning consultant<br /> <br /> Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A<br /> <br /> Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Minnesota, USA<br /> <br /> Language in Which You Will Present: English<br /> <br /> Target Audience(s): Teen youth, Parents and Alternative school teachers<br /> <br /> Short Session Description (one line):</p><p>The beginning of unleashing the brilliance of a child starts in recognizing what is right with the learner. Identification and development of a youth’s strengths can assist parents and teachers to fully engage the child in learning by focusing on their strengths.<br /> <br /> Full Session Description (as long as you would like): When using strength based educational practices, such as identifying and developing strengths in children, engagement in learning is high. In this session we will explore what are strengths, how to identify strengths, actions you can take to develop strength and how to use the self-awareness to create personalized learning for your child or students. <br /> <br /> Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</p><p><a href="http://www.wildewoodlearning.com/">www.wildewoodlearning.com</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wildewoodlearning">https://www.facebook.com/wildewoodlearning</a></p><p><a href="http://www.girlsleadmn.org/">www.girlsleadmn.org</a></p></div>Beyond the Dining Room Table: 10 Trends That are Transforming Homeschooling in the Digital Agehttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/beyond-the-dining-room-table-10-trends-that-are-transforming2014-06-27T20:43:31.000Z2014-06-27T20:43:31.000ZBernard Bullhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/BernardBull<div><p><span>Your Name and Title:</span></p><p>Dr. Bernard Bull, Assistant Vice President of Academics, Associate Professor of Education, and father of two children who are experiencing the joys of a personalized, home-based education.<br /> <br /> <span>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</span></p><p>Wisconsin, USA<br /> <br /> <span>Language in Which You Will Present:</span></p><p>English<br /> <br /> <span>Target Audience(s):</span></p><p>anyone interested in homeschooling, place-based learning, personalized learning, educational technology, and/or self-blended learning<br /> <br /> <span>Short Session Description (one line):</span></p><p>Come explore ten ways that homeschooling possibilities are extended and amplified in the digital age.<br /> <br /> <span>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</span></p><p>We live in a "Wild West Era" of education, one rich with changes, educational experiments, and emerging technologies.. How are these changes, experiments and technologies impacting homeschooling? In this session we will explore ten trends that many families and learners are leveraging for high-impact, personalized, home-based learning.<br /> <br /> <span>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</span></p><p><span><a href="http://etale.org/main/2014/02/18/10-trends-that-are-transforming-homeschooling-in-the-digital-age/">http://etale.org/main/2014/02/18/10-trends-that-are-transforming-homeschooling-in-the-digital-age/</a></span></p></div>From Home Education to Higher Education -- Preparing for the Transitionhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/from-home-education-to-higher-education-preparing-for-the2014-06-14T23:39:24.000Z2014-06-14T23:39:24.000ZLori Dunlaphttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LoriDunlap<div><p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong></p><p></p><p>Lori Dunlap, MBA</p><p>Writer, Speaker, Career Advisor<br /> <br /> <strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong></p><p></p><p>N/A<br /> <br /> <strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p></p><p>United States</p><p>Portland, OR<br /> <br /> <strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p></p><p>English<br /> <br /> <strong>Target Audience(s):</strong></p><p></p><p>Home schooling/unschooling parents and students<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong></p><p>In this session we will take a look at the rapidly-changing landscape of post-high school education, including traditional and non-traditional options.</p><p><br /> <br /> <strong>Full Session Description:</strong></p><p>As home-schooled high school students and their families consider post-graduation options, many struggle with the question of whether to continue on a non-traditional educational path, or to merge back on to the traditional college-bound one. Adding to the pressure and complexity of this decision are decreasing acceptance rates at many colleges (less than 10% at selective colleges), skyrocketing tuition rates, and a tight job market. Is a four-year degree, and all of the planning it requires, worth it?</p><p> </p><p>In this session we will take a look at the rapidly-changing landscape of post-high school education, including traditional and non-traditional options. We will also discuss the critical factors to consider in making your decision whether to pursue a four-year degree or not, and key steps your child can take to stand out and effectively compete in any application process (whether for college admissions or job applications).</p><p> </p><p>I will also share specific information including:</p><ol><li>The results of recent research related to college admissions officers' views of applications from home schooled students,</li><li>Profiles of home-educated students who are successfully pursuing their post-graduation goals, and</li><li>Current and predicted employment trends you need to know about.</li></ol><p> </p><p>By the end of this session you will have a better understanding of post-high school options for your child, a list of criteria to consider in making your decision, and a list of resources to support you as you navigate through this transition.</p><p><br /> <br /> <strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.teachyourown.org">www.teachyourown.org</a></p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/TeachYourOwn">www.facebook.com/TeachYourOwn</a></p><p></p><p></p></div>Emerging Options in Educationhttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/forum/topics/emerging-options-in-education2014-06-14T23:34:01.000Z2014-06-14T23:34:01.000ZLori Dunlaphttps://www.startingtohomeschool.org/members/LoriDunlap<div><p><strong>Name and Title: </strong></p><p></p><p>Lori Dunlap, MBA</p><p>Writer, Speaker, Career Advisor<br /> <br /> <strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong></p><p></p><p>N/A<br /> <br /> <strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong><br /></p><p>United States</p><p>Portland, Oregon</p><p></p><p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong></p><p></p><p>English</p><p><br /> <strong>Target Audience(s):</strong></p><p></p><p>Home schooling/unschooling parents and students<br /> <br /> <strong>Short Session Description</strong>:</p><p>This session will describe some of the emerging educational options available to homeschooling/unschooling families.</p><p><br /> <strong>Full Session Description</strong>:</p><p>As home-schooling families we are on the leading edge of a major shift that has begun in our educational system. With almost 2 million children in the United States now classified as "home schooled" (and growing at 7-15% per year), it is clear that more and more parents are realizing that there is a better way to educate their children and help them develop to their full intellectual, creative, and social potential. <br /> <br /> This is how change happens, individual choice by individual choice, and it’s both exciting and inspiring to see. We are just at the beginning, though, of breaking out of the old model and shaping what will come next, and new educational choices that you may not be aware of are becoming available every day.</p><p><br /> This session will describe some of the emerging educational options that may be of particular interest to parents of home-schooled children, including:<br /> 1. Full-time and part-time online schools<br /> 2. Internships and apprenticeships<br /> 3. Enrichment education opportunities<br /> 4. Dual-enrollment and early college options for high school students</p><p>By the end of this session, you will have a clearer view of the "uncommon" educational landscape, ideas for how best to prepare your children to take advantage of new options, and a list of resources to support you along the way.</p><p><br /> <strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.teachyourown.org">www.teachyourown.org</a></p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/TeachYourOwn">www.facebook.com/TeachYourOwn</a></p><p></p></div>