In recent decades, alternative education has expanded to include several forms of schooling. Some of them have reached global appreciation. On the other hand, many alternative education models have failed to achieve their goals.
Fortunately, the term “alternative” is not a stigma for education solutions nowadays. Similar to how electronic payments like artpayments.co.uk are replacing cash payments, new forms of schooling are substituting traditional models.
Here are the most popular types of alternative education you should consider!
Worldschooling
This education model requires students to travel around the world. This way, they can explore vastly different cultures and absorb teachings from various civilizations. In other words, the whole world is their classroom.
This concept may seem daunting to some parents and students. Furthermore, it has two ways of application. Firstly, the entire family travels with the student and periodically changes their home according to their children’s study. Alternatively, only the students travel, and their families stay put supporting them in this venture.
Simply put, worldschooling means learning as you go. This education model also comes with several benefits. For instance, children get to explore various cultures before they reach adulthood. Therefore, they have a lower risk of developing negative beliefs and stereotypes about other people.
Secondly, worldschooling students have a flexible curriculum to follow. Also, they get to learn various skills as they travel. Lastly, they can discover particular aptitudes and hobbies before they become adults.
Unfortunately, every education model has its flaws. In the case of worldschooling, students don’t have time to create lifelong bonds since they often change classmates. Also, they lack the discipline that traditional schools have to offer.
Unschooling
Unschooling is an alternative type of education that provides students with a never-before-seen level of freedom. Simply put, they get to decide what and when to learn it. Some scholars believe this will motivate students to attend school and follow their instinctual preferences.
Contrary to popular belief, unschooling is not a new model of education. In fact, its oldest form dates back to 1921 in Summerhill, England. There, Scottish writer A.S. Neil created an environment allowing children to learn independently and without adult supervision.
This kind of school has almost all the classes that you could imagine. However, none of them are mandatory for students. Instead, the school encourages children to play outdoors and socialize. The proponents of the unschooling method believe that children are more likely to develop their creative skills this way.
The organization within a classroom is purely democratic. Without adult interference, children vote on spending their time and activities. Paradoxically, unschooling may increase academic motivation in some students.
The benefits of unschooling are still the subject of debate. Nevertheless, some of them are obvious to many. For instance, this educational model is more flexible than the traditional one. Also, it encourages more socializing, which tends to create more confident and self-sufficient adults.
Unschooling is decisively less stressful than traditional schooling. Still, it has its downsides. For instance, it doesn’t keep track of the children’s records. So, when they wish to attend higher forms of education, they cannot partake in standardized tests.