Just Enough and Nothing More

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. - Abraham Maslow

Imagine that you, as an adult, would like to learn something new. For example, how to knit, speaking in public, the concepts of quantum physics, how to fly an airplane, or how medications effect the brain and body. Choose a subject that you would like to learn, then write down as many tools to learn these topics as you can think of.

Try to come up with at least 5 different ways. If you can’t think of 5, ask for help to complete your list.

Now, look at your list and decide which ones are the “best” ways to learn your new thing.

Take that same topic, and ask a friend (that includes a spouse) to do the same exercise. Compare answers.

Now, with this same friend, go over what you think your children would say. And if your children are old enough, do the exercise with them as well.

I could tell you what I think this exercise is good for. But I think you’ll get a lot more out of it if you come up with your own conclusions on whether this helps you better understand the learning tools that are avaialble to us.

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This is part 6 of a series for giving ourselves a homeschool makeover. These are the other questions. Click on the links to see what others have said.

Question #1 - Where will you be a year from now?
Question #2 - What is success?
Question #3 - What is the role of failure in learning?
Question #4 - What is the role of enthusiasm?
Question #5 - What was your education like?
Question #7 - Are you happy?

Related posts:

1. Homeschool Makeover - #5
2. Homeschool Makeover - #3
3. Homeschool Makeover #7 - Are You Happy?
4. Get Started On a Homeschool Makeover