WRFR radio interview: Alternative education
Mixer board at WRFR, Photo by Devi Randolph
There has been a small ad in the Free Press for many weeks now, it simply states…. oldschoolrockland.org…well… that peaked my curiosity! I emailed Joe Steinberger to get the scoop and request an interview.
WRFR, Photo by Devi Randolph
His response was, “Why don’t we interview each other on the radio”?! My response, “Cool”!! I asked Devi Randolph to be on hand for some pics, Joe wanted to include her in the interview.
Photo by Devi Randolph – Coastal Collage
As we talked during the hour show, we found an alternative education connection between the three of us. Joe is currently working on The Old School, named such because it is not really a ‘new’ idea. Joe Steinberger determines to collect together a group of educators, mentors, and students in a cooperative learning environment. Essentially, The Old School mission is to create tuition-free opportunities for learning in the Rockland/Camden area.
Close up and on the radio, Photo by Devi Randolph
“We believe that learning is the greatest of pleasures, that knowledge is more valuable than any credential, and that the pleasure of passing our knowledge to others who are eager to learn is life’s highest compensation,” states Joe in his mission statement for the school.
The concept is a good one. The cost of even the smallest of Universities is prohibitive for many. The rewards can be enormous for individuals and the community.
Karen Olson at WRFR – Coastal Collage
For my part, I am a proponent of self education, autodidacticism. I have taught myself many skills including the skills necessary for this blog, wordpress, photography, and code. That is not say however that I haven’t learned these skills from someone, ie.. other bloggers, workshops, online tutoring. But I do decide my own direction and pace.
Devi spoke of the benefits of being unschooled. Different than self education, an unschooler is guided along paths of self discovery and learning. They may learn through natural experience, household responsiblity, or personal interest. Devi felt the close relationship she has with her parents was the primary benefit of being unschooled.
Photo by Devi Randolph
It would seem it is time for an educational redirection. Many of the skills needed in the workplace today are not taught in traditional schools. Success is elusive and uncertain. One needs to be adaptable, as society should be.
For more information on The Old School please Joe Steinberger via the website. He is looking for both educators and students to collaborate. If you have a skill or need a skill, contact him.
Check out this article on autodidacticism from Creative Live.
For thoughts on homeschooling click here.
By the way, it was totally fun being on the radio!!!
