X-Post ... I wish there was a way to expedite self-education ...

[Luanne]

I feel like I am spending more time trying to decide what to do/use for self-education than anything else (besides working) right now. I am tempted to use a pre-packaged curriculum. I wouldn't even know which one to use though. Would this require even more research on my part? UGH!:001_huh:

[Eliana]

I feel like I am spending more time trying to decide what to do/use for self-education than anything else (besides working) right now. I am tempted to use a pre-packaged curriculum. I wouldn't even know which one to use though. Would this require even more research on my part? UGH!:001_huh:

What do you want to study?

SWB's TWEM is a fabulous resource for learning how to get more out of your literature reading, and she has some great overviews of genres with specific reading suggestions. You don't need to follow her lists, but the methods could be very helpful... just pick a work of literature that appeals or that you've always meant to read, or that you've read but want to get more out of.

If you want to learn more science, pick a specific area and use one of the texts you can find recommended here for high school learning. You could take Zumdahl's Chemistry (or his Introductory chemistry text if you want something less overwhelming) and work through it. When you have questions, you can use some of the wonderful online resources (lots of colleges and universities have online resources in any subjects). Or you could use one of the free online classes from MIT...

Or start smaller and get an intriguing popular science title out of the library and look things up in a text as questions arise or things interest you.

You can start a chronological study of history with SWB's History of the Ancient World (Susan is the source of so many incredible resources!!). You could just read straight through, or you could get out books from the library on specific countries and cultures and expand your study.

Or you could choose a country or region which particularly interests you and dive in! (I spent a year reading everything I could find about Burma... and then expanded the study to Southeast Asia using the marvelous text: The Emergence of Modern Southeast Asia and a stack of country specific books. I read some works of fiction from some of the different countries and took endless notes.) Somewhere I have a wonderful list of study questions given to me by a history professor who teaches a course using this text... I imagine there are many study/reflection question resources online for a variety of texts/regions' histories.

My strongest recommendation is to not feel pressured - let your joy, your wonder, and your curiosity pull you on, and don't get hung up on the mechanisms. There is no one perfect resource for self-education... I think the best approach is to pick a subject and dive in!

Choose just one area to start with and set aside some daily time for it... and see where it takes you!

[Peek a Boo]

I vote for implanting chips directly to my brain.

I sure hope those tech guys get on that pretty soon!!

[Trivium Academy]

Lol! Dh wants to have an Upload Center.

As for self-educating, Eliana gave great advice, I just want to add a few things.

Focus on *one* thing at a time, finish it and then move onto another. If you want to study science, I would actually start reading scientist biographies to transition back into the technical talk. I would start with books on the 4-6th grade level and work up to the original works. This will allow you to speak easily about scientists and their work no matter what age level or year in history you're studying.

Good luck!

[Beth in Central TX]

For my own self-education, I don't study every subject at once. The only subject that is a constant is Latin because I have to stay ahead of my boys. In 2006 I focused on Latin and writing. Last year I focused on Latin and grammar. This year I'm focusing on Latin and logic.

Even though I have 2 subjects that I focus on (which means I study them at night by reading books and going through some type of related workbook), I also do a little work in history and literature. For history, I purchase lectures from The Teaching Company to listen on my MP3 player while I walk. I get these on sale, and I try to coordinate what I buy with the time period we are currently studying or will be studying the next year. For literature, I'm part of a local book club that meets once a month.

When I first realized that I needed to re-educated myself as I homeschooled my boys, this became painfully obvious after when my oldest son hit 5th grade, I really didn't know what to do. I started off slowly to make sure I wouldn't overload myself or waste money. As I have become more confident in a few subjects, I'm not as intimidated to start a new, unknown subject, like logic.

Of course, your situation is different from mine, but hopefully something I've said will help you make the decisions that are right for you.

[Mama Lynx]

Agreeing with the others ... I am focusing on Latin and Greek, and on beginning to read the texts I'm going to have them read in high school. Plus, I read a few history books a year, just following my interests.

[Rhesa]

I vote for implanting chips directly to my brain.

I sure hope those tech guys get on that pretty soon!!

:iagree: Like on the Matrix! (Just saw that again the other night) Surely I wasn't the only one who thought that would be the coolest thing ever?

Sign me up for languages, martial arts, ballet, world history, equestrian horseback....

[Robin Hood]

I would start with books on the 4-6th grade level and work up to the original works. This will allow you to speak easily about scientists and their work no matter what age level or year in history you're studying.

Good luck!

Jessica, this is good advice. It is exactly what I have accidentally been doing to educate myself, along with TWTM. Our library has a juvenile section and I always find good books for me to read when I take my kids to the library. 4th to 6th books on science, biographies on scientists, history on certain cultures or religious beginnings have given me at the ability to understand more deeply than before, the Great Conversation. I am still not good in elocution with peers or teaching my kids without aids, but I now "get it" most of the time and can lead my sweeties along. I do find myself adding more to their history and science than their 3rd grade level books offer. It is quite fun.

[TracyR]

Well , yes . Either way if you plan on doing your own curriculum or using pre packaged your going to have to spend some time researching on what you want . Maybe a little less time with pre packaged curriculum because its all laid out for you .

If you are leaning on going the all in one curriculum route you will want to find out what you are looking for . A christian curriculum ? A secular program ?
Then you also want to find one that fits your familie's interest . Do you like curriculum focused more on literature ? A school book approach , on that focuses on world history or american history .

Either way its going to take some part on your time . One good thing is if you think that a prepackaged curriculum may help your sanity , then go for it . We all need a break every now and then .
Plus its all there for you . Some are more self lead ,, like Ace school of tomorrow or Christian Light , some require teaching by the parent . It just all depends on what you want and need .

[Montana Peach]

One good place to start is by doing a search on Google for Open Courseware. These are courses from universities all over the country (Including MIT and Notre Dame) that are free. generally you will need th e text but all the lecture notes and such are online and the amount of courses and variety of subject is amazing.

[JESSICAinMD]

I was wishing the same thing myself. I am almost finished my all of my classes for my BS degree, except for my FL. My advisor said if I could get a professor (from any college) to write a letter stating that my time in Korea is equal to the knowledge I would have gained in a FL class that they would waive it. Easier said than done. I didn't know any professors in Korea and all the ones I spoke with here didn't feel comfortable writing the letter even after seeing my advisors letter. So now I am trying to study spanish so I can CLEP out of it. It seems like it is taking forever. :)