Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning is the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Therefore, it not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also competitiveness and employability.

The term recognizes that learning is not confined to childhood or the classroom but takes place throughout life and in a range of situations. During the last fifty years, stable scientific and technological improvement and change has had a thoughtful effect on learning needs and styles. Learning can no longer be divided into a place and time to acquire knowledge (school) and a place and time to apply the knowledge acquired. Instead, learning can be seen as something that takes place on an on-going basis from our daily interactions with others and with the world around us. (Department of Education and Science (2000). Learning for Life: White Paper on Adult Education. Dublin: Stationery Office)

There are numerous customary contexts for lifelong learning beyond traditional "brick and mortar" schooling:

-    Home schooling involves learning to learn or the development of informal learning patterns.

-    Waldorf education which teaches children to love learning for its own sake .

-   Adult education or the acquisition of formal qualifications or work and leisure skills later in life
-   Continuing education which often describes extension or not-for-credit courses offered by higher education institutions
-      Knowledge work which includes professional development and on-the-job training
    Personal learning environments or self-directed learning using a range of sources and tools including online applications

E-learning is available at most colleges and universities or to individuals learning independently. There are even online courses being offered for free by many institutions.

Lifelong learning I feel is essential, as you’re never  to old to get a career or start learning for a better future.  From looking into depth into lifelong learning, I researched into a YouTube clip which I will post below for you to have a look at. “life long learning leads to success- with William O’Neil”. This made me realise that life long learning happens eve n when you don’t know it. You always learn something new everyday, and this clip shows it. The most successful people are people who are life long learners.

Bibliography

Department of Education and Science (2000). Learning for Life: White Paper on Adult Education. Dublin: Stationery Office. (n.d.).

Montessori

Montessori.

“The greatest success for a teacher... is to be able to say, ‘the children are now working as If I did not exist’.” (Maria Montessori quote)

From first researching into Maria Montessori I realised immediately how captivating she and what she wanted to achieve throughout her lifetime is incredible. It was obvious she wanted to make a difference in what she believed in, and fought for it until she achieved it giving no less than one hundred percent each time.

Maria Montessori was born in Chiatavale Italy in 1870. She was an only child of Alessandro and Renilde Stoopani. Montessori worked alongside women and children for 10 years becoming somewhat fascinated in children with mental disability. After a great deal of observation she decided that children required suitable education more than ‘medical treatment’ this is how she started to get interested in education. (Maria Montessori)

There are 7,000 Montessori schools world wide, which can be taught from early years up to secondary level.

In 1906 Maria set up her first children’s house called Casa dei bambini where she then put her individual research into action, which still to this day people use to be taught by and make a difference. Montessori nurtured each individual child so they accomplish their own potential as she found this was crucial. Children were also encouraged to look after the classroom and its environment.

Montessori was the first teacher to promote the significance of the first 6 years of life as they position a positive foundation for the entire future of the child both in attitudes to social aspects of life and to learning. I feel that Montessori’s 3 six year periods was a very good outlook into children’s education as this period is a beneficial time for expansion and children can really widen specific abilities and skills. It is vital to maintain the child’s sensitive period through the environment.  Montessori explains the “if no help is given to a child, if his environment is neglected, his psychic life will be in constant danger”. (Montessori, 1996)

What I found truly fascinating about Maria Montessori and the way she feels education should be taught, is that she felt the environment, the children and the teachers were as equal as one another. Children I feel, work as one and learn from each other, Maria also felt that if the children were self directed and independent, they would be more willing to learn. Teachers also are an essential part of children learning, as they are trained to recognize appropriate learning level and also pay attention to the child.

“Intelligence is anything but rare amongst human beings, it’s found among the children of poverty and great wealth. Children are capable of anything”. (Tim Weldin)

Looking more into Montessori and the Montessori foundation and watching a you tube clip I have posted above for you to also get a greater knowledge, it gave me a larger insight to the way Montessori foundation works and the beneficial factors to it.  The support from the Montessori staff is incredible and is clear that they are trained to maintain the best possible outcome that the children deserve. What I think is remarkable about Maria Montessori is the fact she started with the children in poverty; she wanted to make a difference and prove all children can be taught. Society today is very different and is all about paying for education and more people should take in to account and learn more from the Montessori foundation.

Bibliography 

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maria_montessori.html. (n.d.).

Maria Montessori. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Montessori.

Maria Montessori quote. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/maria_montessori.html.

Montessori. (1996).

Tim Weldin, P. o. (n.d.). Introduction to montessori foundation. Retrieved from You tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7a3Br6kPbU

Foundation Phase

Foundation phase

In Wales, statutory education begins in the term after a child's fifth birthday, even though numerous children start primary school earlier than this. Between the ages of 3 and 11 a child's education is divided into three main stages.

Early Years - pre-compulsory education (ages 3-5)

Key Stage 1 - the first phase of compulsory primary education (ages 5-7)

Key Stage 2 - the second phase of compulsory primary education (ages 7-11).

Primary schools in Wales must, by law, teach the basic curriculum and the National Curriculum. The basic curriculum consists of religious education and personal and social education. Primary schools are also required to have a policy on sex education. At Key Stages 1 and 2, the National Curriculum consists of core subjects (English, Welsh, mathematics and science) and non-core subjects which are Welsh second language, design and technology, information technology, history, geography, art, music, physical education and religious education. There is no statutory requirement to teach English at Key Stage 1 in Welsh-medium schools. (Wikipedia)

The Early Years Foundation Stage –EYFS is a wide-ranging structure which sets the principles for learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 in England.

Primary education in Wales has a similar arrangement to Primary education in England, but teaching of the Welsh language is required and it is used as the medium of instruction in many schools. The introduction of the Foundation Phase for 3-7 year olds is also creating increasing disagreement between Wales and England. (Wikipedia)

As with everything, there is always an opportunity for expansion, and the foundation phase is no different. From researching into the foundation phase and the different stages it has come to my attention that there is work still need to be done to make sure children have the best possible future they can, and achieve to the highest standard.  Children do not have enough opportunity to gain knowledge through well planned play that provides challenge and motivation. This is vital as, children as very hands on, and focus on play a lot.

If teachers involve the children more with planning and checking their own work this would make a great change as they would understand more.

In society today, there is such a big feud today about different cultures, religions and skin. This should have been stopped, and needs to be solved as soon as possible. I feel that is more emphasis is given to celebrating differences and developing children’s knowledge and understanding of it all at a younger age, would benefit in the long run as children will grow up with it. (foundation phase)

The aims for making foundation phases better is clear. We need to raise children’s standards of achievement as it is clear we can see what children are capable of if they have the right resources. Enhancing their positive attitude to learning is also essential as if you have a positive attitude, you can achieve anything.

If these aims can be met, and the foundation phase can grow throughout the years, we will see massive changes.

Bibliography

foundation phase. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/130717-evaluating-foundation-phase-annual-report-2011-12-en.pdf

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_education_in_Wales

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is becoming more popular every day, with a growth rate of 7 to 15 percent per year. There are about two million children currently learning at home. Homeschooled kids do well on standardized tests, are welcome at colleges and universities, and as adults, have a reputation for being self-directed learners and reliable employees. (htt)

Homeschooling is not for everyone and think that it all depends on the person that could be introduced to it.  After researching into homeschooling I have decided to look at the Positives and negatives to get a better outcome on feelings towards the subject and more of an all round idea. School no matter what age could be hard, and yes not for everyone. Big problems in today’s society are peer pressure, competition, boredom and “bullies” are all part of today’s typical school day that children face five times out of the week. Homeschooled students can dress and act and think the way they want, without fear of ridicule or a need to "fit in." They live in the real world, where lives aren't dictated by adolescent trends and dangerous experimentation. 

Religious freedom is a big issue as many families feel their religious and spiritual beliefs are an important part of who they are. Homeschooling provides the opportunity for parents to incorporate their beliefs into their daily lives. 

An important one I feel is stability during hard times. Whether there's a new baby, an illness, a death in the family, or another obstacle or transition, homeschooling helps families cope during challenging periods. (Positives)

However, always with the pros come the cons.

Financial Restraints are a massive factor for homeschooling. For married parents, one partner often foregoes full-time employment out of the home in order to home school. This can be a big surrender for families who are struggling to balance their budget. Surprisingly, most homeschooling families believe that the brief loss of income is well worth the satisfaction of watching their kids grow and learn in freedom. 

Living Outside the Norm I feel can be  Like any activity that challenges mainstream thinking, homeschooling may be seen as an oddity at best, or even as a threat to those who are unable to accept ordinary parents succeeding where trained professionals often fail. My family has developed a bit of a tough exterior over the years, but negative comments and criticisms still filter in occasionally. If you are unable to live "outside of the box," then homeschooling is not for you. (Cons)

From looking in depth at homeschooling I have come to the conclusion where I think that going to a school teaches and offers more than any home school could ever imagine. It prepares you for life and what is to come after school and gives more social skills. 

Bibliography

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/parenting/29861.html

(n.d.). Retrieved from Cons: http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/parenting/29861.html?page=2

(n.d.). Retrieved from Positives: http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/parenting/29861.html?page=1