Learning is...

Saw this on a home ed forum, excellent!...

Subject	Traditional Learning	Natural Learning
Child viewed as...	an empty vessel waiting to be filled, or to be trained like an animal	a sprouting seed on its way to becoming a tree
Adult viewed as...	a fount of knowledge, or an authority figure on which the child must depend	a model to imitate, a resource and helper
Learning is...	a result of teaching, or being shown or told	a process of satisfying the desire to know and be able to do, discovery
Learning occurs...	in a logical, orderly way, in graded increments	in subtle and complex recognition of patterns, unplanned and unordered
Everyday life and learning...	are separate in time and space	are integrated and interdependent
Ideal amount of learning...	is 13 years plus 4 or more optional years	begins at birth and lasts a lifetime
Focus of learning is...	on the learner's weaknesses, to bring them up to the level of strong areas (which tend to weaken through disuse)	on the learner's strong points, while weak areas tend to gradually improve as a matter of course
Curriculum is...	Pre-determined by the teacher or the school system, is limited in scope and expensive	determined by student and available experiences, broad or narrow depending on the interest and energy of the moment
Subjects to learn...	are separate and distinct from one another	are integrated and fluid
Textbooks & workbooks...	are the primary source of information, and generally no other questions are entertained	are seldom used, except as references (or for props in playing 'school'...)
The schedule is...	inflexible, by the clock	based on individual and family needs, subject to serendipity, as in the "learning moment"
Success is defined...	as conforming to society's expectations, or as completing 11,970 hours of sitting at a desk	as being able to transition into the adult world as a self-assured productive citizen
Failure to succeed is...	noted, punished, and can become a life sentence	accepted as part of life, and an opportunity to try again
Learning disabilities are...	special 'advantages' that provide entitlements, or flaws to be corrected or glossed over	recognized as different learning styles that require uncommon approaches to common skills
Authority is vested in...	the teacher, the institution, the society, or anyone who is bigger or stronger (through control and manipulation)	the individual, to be delegated to others as appropriate, through respect, consensus, and representation
Reading...	must be mastered at age 6 or 7, otherwise learning cannot progress	begins anytime between 3 and 13, and late readers have advantages such as the chance to experience the world more directly
Math is...	a series of facts and formulas to be learned for use in abstract problem solving	a way of relating patterns and relationships to the problems of everyday life so as to find useful and appropriate solutions

The arts are...	an exercise in conformity	a means of communication for the expression of feelings for which we may lack words
Science...	is a special field of study for the affluent and advantaged	is all around us and only requires time for observation, thought and inquiry
Social studies & history...	Is presented as an exercise in memorizing inconsequential facts and dates, or is used as a means of conveying 'politically correct' world views and politics	begins with the child's own history and relates everything together as a means of understanding where we are now, and why; helps children respect others by respecting themselves
Grammar and spelling...	provides unreliable and frustrating rules to memorize	provides interesting patterns and families of words that really do help and make sense
Writing...	a means of abusing children by changing from printing to italics to cursive without respecting their own individuality	a means of communication which is perfected through real use, rather than through tedious exercises
Health...	another opportunity for political propaganda, since the real agenda is to keep the doctors well supplied with patients	An opportunity to discuss cause and effect, to encourage the development of healthy habits, and to free us from dependence on doctors
Occupational education...	How to fill out job applications, unionize and strike for higher wages, and become dependent on the government as much as possible	Opportunities for experiencing the gratification of earning your own money, developing a work ethic, and becoming self-sufficient
Play is...	irrelevant and frivolous	necessary to learning; a natural way to practice relevant skills

Socialization is...

relating to others the same age only, learning to conform

respecting others' differences, being self confident, responsible