View source for I would never send my kids to school

<small>Author: [[Piotr Wozniak]]<br>
Date: 2017<br>
For an extended modular version see: [[Problem of Schooling]]</small>
{{tocright}}
= Introduction =
{{:Problem_of_schooling:_Introduction}}
= Motto =

It is pretty tragic to see that many solutions have already been known for centuries, but they keep getting overlooked. I chose the words of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke John Locke] (1693) as the motto for this text:

{{Motto|None of the things they are to learn, should ever be made a burthen to them, or impos'd on them as a task. Whatever is so propos'd, presently becomes irksome; the mind takes an aversion to it, though before it were a thing of delight or indifferency}}

= Brain science =

The strongest argument against schooling comes from neuroscience. One of the most fundamental forces that can shape education is the '''[[#learn drive|learn drive]]'''. Understanding learn drive is essential for the realization that [[self-directed learning|self-directed]], [[self-paced learning|self-paced]] [[self-learning]] is the most efficient way of developing a knowledgeable and creative mind. The neural principles of reward in the learn drive lead me to the formulation of the [[#Fundamental law of learning|Fundamental law of learning]]. I hope no kid will ever accept any violation of that law.

In addition to inefficient learning, one of the most wasteful offences committed by the system of schooling is the disregard for the [[#Natural creativity cycle|natural creativity cycle]]. This is the cycle in which knowledge is acquired, built upon creatively, expanded, and optimized in the course of the [[circadian cycle]] in waking and in sleep. School systems have been designed mostly in the 19th century when we did not know of the existence of the creativity cycle.

= Learn drive =
Learn drive is the neural mechanism by which the brain assembles the [[jigsaw puzzle]] of world knowledge.{{:Learn drive}}

= Effect of schooling on the learn drive =
Coercive schooling suppresses the learn drive and results in diminished long-term effect of learning.{{:Schools suppress the learn drive}}

= Learn drive and reward =

{{:Pleasure of learning}}

= Learn drive vs. learned helplessness =

{{:Learned helplessness vs. learn drive}}

= Education counteracts evolution =

{{:Education counteracts evolution}}

= Toxic memory =
A decline in the [[learn drive]] as a result of bad learning may come from a lesser buildup of memories, and faster [[forgetting]]. However, formation of parasitic and toxic memories may also be responsible for a gradual increase in the dislike of school and learning. {{:Toxic memory}}

= Why schools fail? =
{{:Why schools fail?}}

= Optimum push zone =

{{:Push zone}}

= Natural creativity cycle =

Natural creativity cycle is a repetitive sequence of changes in knowledge stored in memory. Those changes are induced by learning, creative thinking, and [[memory optimization in sleep]]. Those changes form a cycle rooted in the [[circadian cycle|circadian rhytm]].{{:Natural creativity cycle}}

= Brain evolution =

{{:Myth: Evolution will help grow a better student brain}}

= Baby management =

{{:Baby management}}

= How baby brain does not work =

{{:How baby brain does not work}}

= Childhood amnesia =

{{:Childhood amnesia}}

= Daycare misery =

{{:Daycare misery}}

= Stress resilience =

{{:Stress resilience}}

= Childhood passions =

{{:Tug of war: child's passions}}

= Why kids hate school? =

{{:Why kids hate school?}} 

= Mountain climb metaphor =
{{:Mountain_climb_metaphor_of_schooling}}

= Glossary =

See: [[Glossary]]

= References =

See: [[References]]

= Further reading =

Some chapters have not been integrated with the printable version. See: [[Problem_of_Schooling#Chapters|Full list of chapters]]

= Summary =

See: [[Summary]]