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 influences reveal my character. See Unit 2, Lesson 1.

This is a sketch that I did. It is based off of Edvard Munch’s, “The Scream.” I chose to draw this based on the scream because that piece of art has always intrigued me. The painting shows a man on a bridge facing the viewer, with a terrified scream on his face. The question this leads to is, “What does the man see that frightens him so much.” As the answer is not known, the answer can be anything: whatever our minds allow us to imagine as frightening.

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 honesty because I think honesty is by far the most important of Franklin’s values..

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. 

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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.

This is a soundcloud link for audio, because it could not fit in the blog.

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.

https://soundcloud.com/gce-robotics/people-who-inspire-me

Again, it could not fit in my blog. This is my favorite of my audios, so please follow the link to soundcloud!

For more of my thoughts on DIY Education and beyond, please follow me on Twitter @GCEstudent_JDT and join our learning community in conversation at #GCEeducation and #GCEdoityourselfEDU.

JDT