Jay

I came back to the United States, fully wanting to continue my education and obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. I immediately enrolled in what is considered a very reputable university in the area. Between the cost (no help from anyone or gov now), getting foreign “professors” who were trying to teach an english-based computer programming language yet could not SPEAK english well, lack of professor availability to explain further calculus questions, etc. needless to say, this all left a bad taste in my mouth of what it really means to go to “Big University”. I paid too much money to risk that experience again.

Needless to say, I landed myself in a data clerk position ironically at an ivy league college, where my bosses believed in my talents and skills, AND SO DID I. They encouraged me to take professional courses (outside the university) targeting subjects I was truly interested in (SQL, Java, HTML, CSS, etc.) but would obviously help me obtain my professional goals. These courses furthered my skills to the point where I became a Senior Programmer/Analyst in 6 years (had to move up the ranks, which is not a bad thing). Not having a bachelor’s degree is not critical as long as your willing to take the time to take these courses and learn the necessary material. I did learn a lot on my spare time. A side note….I resent the fact that there are so many people out there claiming to be web designers and programmers when they haven’t even heard of w3c standards or think Dreamweaver is the end-all to website design (scary!). Take a course! Learn it the right way! It’s not difficult material, but how it’s implemented is very important.

Knowing how the US is so tightly integrated with “making money”, I wonder if our college institutions are just big business these days. I feel our young people are brainwashed into thinking that they won’t be successful without a college degree. I am proof that this is not the case. Some formal education from the experts is obviously beneficial, but one doesn’t need a full-blown college degree in some cases to achieve success.

What is formal schooling?

For the Gaul of America, Quebec, in formal schooling all courses are determined for you. Until CÉGEP. That is formal schooling to me. A clear path that leads you to a choice you are unprepared for. Unleast you are a “loner”, rejecting for X reason the mainstream.

We also know that teachers have mandatory directions for students. If you see the definition and axiom given as true then learners have no
option in the current system.

And the question is how much time of this kind of education we need? In the spirit of liberty, I say the question is do we need formal education? (What are those 20% of school that makes it worth it?)

Those good students, why are they so few? Everyone does go to the same school. Then perhaps school is not what makes them good.

What does formal education do? give to is students?

To my knowlegde, school gives a place you must be. It gives structure and diligence to the part of your time that you renounce to control. It also makes you meet accountable people with passion. Of course there are other students with which you can escape boredom or if you are lucky have a purposeful adventure.

If that’s it, then what? Peter Gray, research professor of psychology and writer of the textbook Psychology, has a great idea on his blog.

It sums up to: Have the accountable and passionate people on diverse subjects in one place and make that place easy of access to everyone.
( http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn? – did not find the specific article)

Then there is Sudbury Valley school. That is not formal schooling nor self-education. It is unconventional schooling. Recently I left formal schooling to join an informal school and I can say that it feels great to have time to seek the answer every single time I ponder: Why?

Henceforth, no. Formal schooling needed time: 0.

If it tickles you, you should answer.