{"id":1157,"date":"2022-08-27T01:26:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T01:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learningwithleong.com\/?p=1157"},"modified":"2023-06-15T23:58:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T23:58:54","slug":"autodidacticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifespan.education\/zh\/autodidacticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Autodidacticism: Theory and Practice for Young People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Autodidacticism is puzzling: it presents the most obvious of observations, and yet it is totally revolutionary. It\u2019s out of step with the dominant educational atmosphere, and yet it is altogether of the moment. It can feel like there\u2019s nothing to tell young people about it, and yet it\u2019s very important to emphasize it for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first sense, one could easily make the case that every human activity entails some form of learning, growth, or transformation (Dewey 1916). Some of this learning is of course biologically determined. Seen from that perspective, the idea of \u201cself-study\u201d or \u201cautodidacticism\u201d is not particularly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And yet, of course it is. Autodidacticism ultimately only makes sense in opposition to formal schooling (Heywood 2001). In our conventional thinking, we are used to thinking of \u201ceducation\u201d as equivalent to \u201cschooling.\u201d This attitude can lead to an overemphasis on formal schooling and impoverish our understanding of learning (Gray 2013). For this reason, it is worth considering the idea of self-study and what can be gained from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Autodidacticism often appeals to people who for one reason or another object to the dominant social order. In the 1960s, this was often linked to a critique of capitalism, social conformity, race relations, etc. (Illich 1971; Fielding 2011; Miller 2002). More recently, on a very different register, religious parents and thinkers have favored autodidacticism as a response to secular education, which they view as insufficient or sinful (Arai 1999).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In a sense, autodidacticism has become quite popular. Many prominent entrepreneurs and social media stars recommend some form of autodidacticism, including Alex Fasulo<\/a>, Gary Vaynerchuck<\/a>, and even the psychologist Jordan Peterson<\/a>. This doubtless feeds on the excitement surrounding people like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg, who experienced wild success without bothering to finish college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This represents an interesting twist in the linking of autodidacticism to social critique. In this case, critics are still uncomfortable with the dominant social order, but self-study now is seen as allowing one to better achieve professional success and personal wealth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet, seen from another perspective, this appearance of autodidacticism communicates a familiar social critique. While this might not be about undermining social institutions such as the family or the market, it can be seen as a reaction against perceived social failure in the form of the cost of higher education or oppressive versions of political correctness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pushing further, it can be seen as a vehicle for young people to reclaim education in the face of mounting stress and credentialism<\/a>. The sociologist Natasha Warikoo has described our era as one of anxiety,<\/a> which she sees as motivating an over-emphasis on formal schooling, credentialing, and a narrow swath of name brand institutions. Seen from that perspective, self-study can be seen as a way for young people to push back against what might be an increasingly less spontaneous or joyful attitude towards education.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This report on autodidacticism will take the following form: first, I\u2019ll present the paradigms of autodidacticism that I\u2019ve seen in the literature. Then I\u2019ll remark on the literature on the efficacy of autodidacticism. From there, I\u2019ll briefly note the applications of autodidacticism in schools as well as its practical applications, highlight some contemporary autodidact resources, and finally conclude with concrete recommendations and insights for young people. As always, a full bibliography appears at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Autodidacticism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, the literature on autodidacticism does not apply a single definition of the term. Maybe in the broadest sense, the definition is simple: self-directed learning that is (1) understood to be undertaken as such (i.e., understood to be undertaken as a learning enterprise) and (2) as happening outside of the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More specifically, I\u2019ve found the following renderings in discussions of the topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n