A Different Way to Learn Quotes

“the world means to you and what you mean to the world. Let’s figure this out. And you know, if things hurt you, then we’re going to take a step back, we’re going to think about why they’re hurting you and what we can do to stop that from happening. If you want to tell me about the things you’re passionate about, I’m listening.’ Those”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

“medical model. It focuses on biology and individuals, with very little account taken of the environment. It assumes that a person who behaves in a certain way does so because of something about them (or something in their brain), and rarely asks what in their environment is resulting in this behaviour.”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

“different, who for whatever reason don’t fit the norms set out by society. For that”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

“help them develop into the unique people they are.”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

“Young people who are allowed to choose what they do set themselves challenging goals, including taking exams, and then apply themselves to succeeding in those goals. It’s always seemed a bit odd to me that we don’t think young people would do this, since adults make challenging choices for themselves all the time. I am surrounded by adults learning complicated skills because they want to, and I really can’t see why young people wouldn’t do the same, unless their relationship with learning has been damaged by years of coercion.”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education

“Education at school is inherently competitive. Children are ranked against each other – through tests, or setting them by ability – from early on and right the way through. About 30% of children fail their GCSEs (the school leaving exam taken at age 16), and it’s not possible for them to pass. GCSE exams are graded by comparing the scores with previous cohorts of teenagers and making sure that grades are similarly distributed. If everyone did exceptionally well one year, for some reason, the pass mark would be set at a higher level, and 30% would still fail. These exams are about comparing young people with their peers, and they can’t all be the best (or even above average).”
― Naomi Fisher, A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education