Our ‘Education in 8 Movements’ (Integrated English-History) class studied “Do It Yourself (DIY)” as a post-secondary learning option. We examined the challenges and benefits of a self-directed education from multiple perspectives, including autobiography. Below are a few of my thoughts on our subject of inquiry.
While studying Ayn Rand’s The Romantic Manifesto, I learned how character is shaped by values, and how our sense of life is informed by our emotional response to nature. Meanwhile, I reflected on some physical things I value, and how these influencers reveal my character.
During this Unit on DIY, I read some of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Like Franklin, I created a chart of 13 unique virtues and measured
self-improvement on a daily basis. I grew most from my commitment to time management because I was not getting the things I needed to get done in a timely fashion. This lack of structure caused me to not get things accomplished in other aspects of my life.
My classmates and I studied Frederick Douglass’ famous lecture, “Self-Made Men.” Mr. Douglass believed that success is achieved not through luck, but by another word: work. Here are my thoughts.
I checked out Anya Kamenetz’s book DIY-U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education. As a result, I’m exploring education alternatives, including DIY options.
There are a number of people succeeding via the School of DIY on a local, national, and global level. Here are my thoughts on a few who inspire me.
For more of my thoughts on DIY Education and beyond, please follow me on Twitter @GCEstudent_insert initials here and join our learning community in conversation at #GCEeducation and #GCEdoityourselfEDU.
In this world hard work is usually how we meet the precedents that we set for ourselves. Frederick Douglas states that this is true, and zach reviews this idea giving good well thought out examples. Leading up to that his dad has the position in the medical field, is a big part of showing how he feels about fredereck’s philosophy.
Zach has had first hand experience and he is able to reflect upon the lectures he has seen in the videos, and the ones he has read in text books. This reflection is important in his reasoning it shows that not only does he have an opinion, but that he also has the first hand experience with the program. Without it he would not be able to give a statement that was well thought out.