Welcome to SelfMadeScholar.com. This blog is going to be all about self-education - people learning what they want to know
without formal schools or classrooms. Let’s start with the basics:
What is self-education?
Self-education is learning in its purest form. You decide what you want to learn, when you’re going to learn it, and how you’re going to master the subject. There are no formal teachers, no essays, no exams, no “group projects,” and no grades.
You can start at any age, whether you’re one or one-hundred. It’s one of the best ways to become an interesting person and sure beats spending your weekends in front of the TV.
Why self-education?
Take a look at almost any great historical figure and you’ll find that he is a product of self-education. Even if he was a college graduate, chances are that he spent years or even decades independently studying topics that were relevant to his life.
Consider these examples:
Abigail Adams received no formal education. Instead, she taught herself by reading works from her father’s large library. She went on to become the second First Lady of the United States, and an early champion for women’s rights.
Renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell decided not to follow his plans to earn a doctorate degree. Instead, after earning his Master’s, Campbell retreated into the woods of upstate New York. For five years he read for upwards of nine hours a day, and developed his unique perspective on the power of myth. He went on to teach what he learned and write books, such as The Power of Myth
Early American patriot Benjamin Franklin ended his formal education when he was just ten years old. He went on to become a printing press apprentice, working for his brother. Through the years he was an avid reader and writer. He published several books including The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Too old-fashioned you say? How about these:
- • Science Fiction writer Ray Bradbury developed his writing skills by spending his time reading at a local library instead of attending college. He went on to pen sci-fi classics such as The Martian Chronicles
and Fahrenheit 451.
• Richard Branson decided he wanted to get experience with business when he was 16. He didn’t finish high school, but he is the owner of both American Airways and Virgin Records.
• James Cameron didn’t need film school. He dropped out of college to get practical experience in the movies and later directed films such as Titanic.
• Michael Dell decided to sell computers instead of stay in college. Chances are high that you’ve purchased electronics from his company – Dell Computers.
To see an extended list of self-educators who have made a difference in the world, check out this site from Autodidactic Press.
Clearly, self-education is the key to personal development. Learning is what helps people understand their world, participate in that world, and make good judgments about what they see. While formal education and training can be helpful, most people can’t afford to spend their entire lives locked away in college classrooms. Nor would they want to.
Independent study gives people the chance to learn about the topics they choose - in depth and at their own pace.
What should I learn?
Learn anything you want.
Consider starting with the classics. Unless you graduated from an Ivy League school or attended a liberal arts college with a great books program, chances are that you missed out on a classical education. You didn’t get the chance to delve into the literature that defines Western civilization and reflects the “great conversation” – an ongoing discussion seeking answers to society’s timeless questions. Not only can studying the classics give you a greater understanding of history, it can give you a deeper understanding of what is going on in the world today.
Alternatively, you could choose to study an academic subject that interests you. Learn what makes a great writer, study historic architecture, become a religious scholar, or perform science experiments in your basement. You can start to become an expert at any age. If you’re in high school, there’s nothing stopping you from becoming the local expert on jazz music. If you already graduated college, chances are you still didn’t get the opportunity to study everything you wanted to know. This time, do it your way. No need to follow a syllabus or wait for the group - study exactly what you want to know.
Or, perhaps you would like to develop a skill or a trade. Learn to frame a house, grow herbs, or sew clothes. Practical, hands-on skills are no less valuable than academic knowledge. Of course, don’t be surprised if your new-found cooking skills make you the talk of the neighborhood. Bon Appétit.
How do I get started?
That’s what this website is all about. Over the coming months, I’ll be writing articles dedicated to helping people learn independently. So, keep visiting this blog.
For now, hit up your local library or bookstore and get a stack of books about whatever topic you’ve chosen to study. Search the web for sites and forums that discuss your topic. And, consider taking an online course. This site’s Directory of Free Online Courses provides a searchable database of hundreds of no-cost classes available on the net. They can be taken at any time and can be used to study whatever subject you’re interested in.
Here are a few of my favorite online class categories:
Happy studying.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
What a great resource! I consider myself an autodidactic and am passionate about learning. I’ve been collecting a list of links related to learning, research, and education. I originally posted here:
Digital Enlightenment: Using the Internet for Research, Learning, and Education
http://eric-blue.com/blog/2006/09/digital_enlightenment_using_th.html
I’ll be sure to add your site to my next update.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Wow - your site has a lot of helpful resources. I particularly like your link-rich maps and plan on using them again.
Thanks for sharing your link.
March 22nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
This is a great site!
I’ll be back often.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Thank you so much for the wonderful site! I have already used the ASL link and reviewed etiquette in the social skills area. This will be a great learning tool for those of us who homeschool.
April 9th, 2007 at 5:10 am
Good site!!!
May 6th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Absolutely fantastic website!!
May 8th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Love the site. I find school disagrees with me for the most part because of the structure and having to learn someone else’s curriculum. However, there are parts that are helpful to learning, and I’m wondering how to replicate those on your own. For instance, group discussions and interactions with fellow classmates are fun and can provide new perspectives and energy on a topic. I find it hard to always sustain that kind of energy on my own. And while I have friends I can talk to about what I’m learning, they aren’t usually studying the same exact book or topic in-depth so it’s not the same as what I would get in a classroom. The second thing is the benefit of a teacher can be that, rather than just tell you what to learn, they can see gaps in your thinking that maybe you couldn’t see on your own–and suggest directions that you might not have thought of or come across as readily. Could you write about how to meet these needs while self-educating? Thanks!
May 10th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Emma - thanks for the compliment. You certainly have some valid concerns. I too have dealt with some of these issues while trying to learn on my own . I’ll be addressing these questions in future blog posts…so stay tuned. :o)
September 25th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I homeschool, and was at a loss as to how to teach some of the subjects my son has to learn. I think this is a great site, and will get him started immediately on a couple of courses he needs. Thanks for this awesome site!!
October 9th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Great site!
As a retired educator, I really agree with what you have to say.