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SelfDesign: Nurturing Genius Through Natural Learning
SelfDesign, a methodology developed by Brent Cameron over the past 23 years, is much more than another take-off from traditional teaching methods. It is instead a philosophy and a practice based in the belief that children are natural learners. Cameron uses individualized strategies, specific language tools, and a focus on the positive to shift the very premise on which education is built. Through his stories of learners and families he takes the reader on a tour of a new paradigm for learning-the art and science of SelfDesign.
230 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 14, 2018
This book offers a method for nurturing your genius through natural learning. Below is an email I sent to friends and family proclaiming that this is a book to take the time to read:
Just wanted to share something with all of you that I have found to be a great tool for developing a strategy (or lifestyle) for lifelong learning and hence enhanced HAPPINESS :) This does not, of course, change the external difficulties that exist in this sometimes wretched world (excuse my bipolar perspective) that we experience and see others suffer; BUT it does offer an internal framework for a way of living so that you feel more content and fulfilled. It's something many of you already know intrinsically and hopefully you all already practice it to varying degrees in seeking your own personal best.
"It" is a method of pursuing that which you are most curious and enthusiastic about in life. If you are already fully informed and engaged with this way of thinking, then perhaps this is just another resource to pass on to others or to keep in mind for the younger generations who you are or will be influencing positively.
I attended a conference last year based upon forms of alternative education (www.educationrevolution.org if you would like more information on that) where I heard Brent Cameron speak about his development of SelfDesign, a new educational paradigm that nurtures each person's individual genius through natural learning ... clearly communicated in the title of the book that he and his partner, Barbara Meyer, authored, Self Design: Nurturing Genius through Natural Learning, published in 2006. As is evident, this struck a particular chord for me, though there are a lot of other good books/information that also relate the learner-centered vision of alternative education (a library of them can be found at the aforementioned website).
You can find a lot of information about SelfDesign on the website www.selfdesign.org to see how well it all sits with you. You can also listen to an interview with Brent Cameron on NPR in Boulder, Colorado outlining his journey to formulate this paradigm for the purpose of enhancing self knowledge about our natural learning processes. I believe the interview was about 20 minutes long and as the host notes, Brent has taken the most beneficial aspects of several reputable alternatives to education and extended this paradigm beyond them. http://newsite.wondertree.org/Present...
Hope the information is helpful for you and those you share it with!
Just wanted to share something with all of you that I have found to be a great tool for developing a strategy (or lifestyle) for lifelong learning and hence enhanced HAPPINESS :) This does not, of course, change the external difficulties that exist in this sometimes wretched world (excuse my bipolar perspective) that we experience and see others suffer; BUT it does offer an internal framework for a way of living so that you feel more content and fulfilled. It's something many of you already know intrinsically and hopefully you all already practice it to varying degrees in seeking your own personal best.
"It" is a method of pursuing that which you are most curious and enthusiastic about in life. If you are already fully informed and engaged with this way of thinking, then perhaps this is just another resource to pass on to others or to keep in mind for the younger generations who you are or will be influencing positively.
I attended a conference last year based upon forms of alternative education (www.educationrevolution.org if you would like more information on that) where I heard Brent Cameron speak about his development of SelfDesign, a new educational paradigm that nurtures each person's individual genius through natural learning ... clearly communicated in the title of the book that he and his partner, Barbara Meyer, authored, Self Design: Nurturing Genius through Natural Learning, published in 2006. As is evident, this struck a particular chord for me, though there are a lot of other good books/information that also relate the learner-centered vision of alternative education (a library of them can be found at the aforementioned website).
You can find a lot of information about SelfDesign on the website www.selfdesign.org to see how well it all sits with you. You can also listen to an interview with Brent Cameron on NPR in Boulder, Colorado outlining his journey to formulate this paradigm for the purpose of enhancing self knowledge about our natural learning processes. I believe the interview was about 20 minutes long and as the host notes, Brent has taken the most beneficial aspects of several reputable alternatives to education and extended this paradigm beyond them. http://newsite.wondertree.org/Present...
Hope the information is helpful for you and those you share it with!
July 11, 2012
This is a wonderfully inspirational book. It is the educational philosophy of SelfDesign - a type of autonomous education based on the rights of a child to determine their own education. It advocates an emergent curriculum based on curiosity, supported by a learning consultant and mentors with specialist knowledge and skills in the areas the child is interested in.
It is rather spiritual in nature and I will need to read it again, many times probably, to be able to absorb its full meaning.
I would have preferred some more practical examples of what actually happens on a daily basis at the learning communities Wonder Tree and Virtual High where the philosophy was developed, and a some detailed insights on how it implement it at home, however the profoundness of the thoughts provided make it a most worthwhile read.
It is rather spiritual in nature and I will need to read it again, many times probably, to be able to absorb its full meaning.
I would have preferred some more practical examples of what actually happens on a daily basis at the learning communities Wonder Tree and Virtual High where the philosophy was developed, and a some detailed insights on how it implement it at home, however the profoundness of the thoughts provided make it a most worthwhile read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews