"The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary" by Jonas Koblin

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." - Henry David Thoreau

"The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary"

School. We had to deal with it when we were younger. Some of us are still going to school while some of us are struggling with school in a different way. If you are trying to get your cherub out of the door in time, then you know what I'm talking about.

We Want our Children to Succeed

Daddies and Mommies want their children to do well in life. The foundation for doing well starts in school. It's where we learn the basic building blocks that will form the foundation on which we will build our life and use the means with which we will support our families. A lot of people will go through the traditional means of tradition. This means starting at kindergarten and going on through high school. From there, you will go to a college or university and earn a degree. Some people will go beyond undergraduate studies and earn a Masters and maybe even a doctorate.

Alternatives to Higher Education

If you weren't one for college, then you probably went to a vocational school. There, you learned a trade. It's a handy thing to know about plumbing, electricity or how to fix a car. These are skills that will always be in demand.

Today, there are many varieties of schools. Each type of school is geared toward a specialty or a subject. Some schools feature a different style of teaching, while others offer alternative curriculums. Some schools are still molded in the traditional teaching style.

The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary

Jonas Koblin (photo: Linkedin.com)

"The fact that we now reach people from all around the world in their quest to understand themselves and others gives me a deep sense of satisfaction." - Jonas Koblin 

For a look at the different schools, Jonas Koblin has written "The Unschooler's Educational Dictionary". This book takes the reader through different alternatives to the traditional educational system through the perspective of Koblin, who found the standard school structure didn't work for him. Koblin dropped out of high school, supporting himself by working odd jobs. Koblin continues to read and write. The adage "You never stop learning" is true for everyone. Koblin puts that adage into practice everyday. With "The Unschooler's Dictionary", Koblin takes what he has learned on his still-continuing journey and passes it along to anyone who wants to know.

TUED begins with an important disclaimer. The book notes that education research is biased due to a number of factors. For instance, Koblin notes that a family that can afford to send a child to an elite school can also afford a tutor to help that child with their academic workload. A sample that asks a family about the school may not allow for the fact that a tutor was hired, helping the student get over a particular hump when it comes to a subject taught at the school.

Another example noted in the disclaimer is a school having exceptional graduation rates and where the students go after attending that school. On the surface, it looks to be impressive results for the students who attend that institution. If you look deeper, you would see that the school only takes in gifted students. Impressive results? Yes, but your child needs to be one of those "impressive" students if you have any hopes of getting in.

A Truant's Encyclopedia

The first part of TUED is a glossary of terms and figures illustrating gaps between demographics and explaining terms used by certain schools and certain geographic regions. Some of these terms are specific to a field of research or an educational field. Some terms explain medications or figures, explaining monies expended by schools or governmental departments. Many of the definitions are cheeky and call out flawed practices by schools and individuals.

The Guide to Education

Also included in the book is a breakdown of types of schools and their structure. Koblin looks at ten aspects of each school, including the type of child who would appear to benefit the most from that particular school. He also looks at how that school came to be, its evolvement over time leading up to today, and what that school's specific purpose is in today's society. The book ends with considerations the reader should utilize when it comes to choosing the right school for their child.

There are a lot of different schools out there. The school you choose will have an impact on the professional life your child will lead. While the author leaves little doubt as to where his biases and opinions lie, Koblin does give a lot of useful information that can be utilized if you feel your child is at a crossroads at a time in their life. Of course, you are welcome to read this book from beginning to end, but with most dictionaries and encyclopedias, there may be a particular term or section you will want to turn to in order to troubleshoot a particular issue or learn more about something specific.

My audiobook, "A Collection of Short Stories", is available on Amazon Audible.