Joys of Self-Determined Learning: A Collection of Essays

Part 1 of the book focuses on individuals who have been part of the self-determined learning movement. Some are homeschooling, unschooling, or worldschooling parents, others have created their own self-directed learning centers or environments. Part 1 includes essays from unschooling greats such as Akilah Richard and Dr. Rebecca English. Robin Alpern’s essay “The School of Benign Neglect” is particularly facetious, as Robin is obviously a caring, thoughtful mother who paid particular attention not only to her children, but to the homeschooling group she co-founded, making sure all children had the opportunity to deeply learn through a myriad of activities.
Part 1 also includes essays by Project World School founder Lainie Liberti, and worldschooler Dr. Kate Green. Incredible narratives of self-determined learning also came from the Directors and Facilitators of Self-Directed Learning Centers across the United States and Canada. Writers of these narratives include Ken Danford of North Star, Katy Burke of Princeton Learning Cooperative, Carol Nash of Alpha II, Maysaa Bazna of Pono in New York City, and Hope Wilder of Pathfinder Learning Center in North Carolina.
Part 2 is focused on those who have been exposed to self-directed learning throughout their lives. Writer and blogger Idzie Desmaris starts off the section with a brilliant piece about growing up unschooled. Sulaf Hatab enthusiastically shares what it is like to learn within the self-directed center her mother, Maysaa Banza, founded. Miro Siegal writes beautifully about growing up worldschooled. Jasmine Higgins, A.S. Neill’s great granddaughter, gives a fantastic account of her experience at Summerhill.