This article on Edutopia's site (George Lucas's Educational Foundation) explains how the brain "wires in" new information. If its relevant and connected to previous learning... it'll stick!
According to the article the 3 key points for implementation are:
- Keep it interesting by using intrigue to inspire interest
- Make it student directed. (don't we know it!)
- Connect it to current knowledge and make it relevant to their lives.
Now if you take off the controlling verb (as in you are "keeping" it interesting, "making" it student directed, and "connecting" it) and instead apply it to an individual unschoolishly home educating, you can see how we all find interesting things, decide to explore that which we find interesting, and then experience that joy of connection when we find a relationship to existing knowledge! Thats what sticks.
My favorite part of home educating is that excited relating my children do when they've made one of these exciting connections... Love It!
What do you think?
