Today CBS aired a piece on home schooling on The Early Show which prominently featured Thomas Jefferson Education. Watch it for yourself, and leave your comments below. We're interested to hear what all of you think about it.
Though I consider it a good thing in general to have publicity of the press- to have so much as the word "HOMESCHOOLED" in the publics eye, yet the subtlety of the 3 minute skit was, I thought, a bit coniving and shallow.
First the commentator refers to this NEW thing that she implies is the easy way- the quick way into reaching the minimum standard of educated. The philosophy wasn't at all discussed. I had to watch it twice to make sure they actually said the word TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille..
This coverage could easily be interpreted as the super new diet pill, the test cramming software, anything that promises big and might actually have worked once or twice. How about the fundamental ideas which drive it? Is the public too dull to accept novel concepts like life-long education? I was pleased to see mentorship mentioned, but as far as covering the phases, we got a lovely look at the Love-of-Learning phase without it being named, and no meaty Scholar phase examples which could have truely inspired someone to investigate the method.
I don't know anything about this "Call to Brilliance" book, but I rather thought the book we based our TJEd philosophy on was "The Thomas Jefferson Education." I have a hard time believing that any news reporter investigating the philosophies of TJEd with any kind of earnesty would miss this fact.
There were several times in the monolog moments when I thought the reporter was about to make a point with things she said. As a former Toastmaster I learned to lead people into what my points were carefully. "Margaret might be an Olympic rider someday,..." or maybe something else and so on. This statement bothered me because it seemed the reporter was leading to a point and then trailed off on another tangent.
I don't mean to be antagonistic and I apologize if I offend. I do tend towards conspiracy theorist at times... what can I say? The Gadianton Robbers live on! Knowing that this aired brings me both pleasure and frustration. The monolog, it seems to me, was meant to belittle without making homeschooling families irate. I am glad our voice was heard even if it was muffled. I hope another unhostile report is warranted in the future.
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." ~A. Einstein~
and listen really closely you'll notice that they when they mention the "Call to Brilliance" book they are talking about "other methods" of homeschooling, and have deviated from their TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille. focus. Obviously you can't tell much about homeschooling in 3 minutes, but I thought it was an okay piece. I liked best the bit of the girl with her friends in the "drama" group and the brief mention of how socialization is not really a concern.
I agree that it could have been much more informative. It's a bit disappointing to see a 3 minute piece that only mentions TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille. by name and doesn't really delve in any further. If I were totally unfamiliar with TJEd, the only thing I think I would have taken away from this story is that TJEd is new, and it entails teaching the kids the academic 'stuff' really fast and then spending the rest of your year doing what ever you want. What about the daily exploration and ongoing use of skills learned? They did mention using classics, and mentoring, but didn't show much about how that part works. There is so much more that could have been shared! They could have given a better 'shape' to the day to day idea of pursuing a TJEd liefstyle. And they mentioned another book but not the TJEd book we all know and love. I am also surprised (and disappointed) that they didn't mention Oliver Van Demille and George Wythe College. The news always seems to be so lacking in the yummy details needed to give a good total overview of 'new' information. Unfortunately, this has become very typical. I did like the mother and daughter they featured... confident and in love with learning. It is great to see a family pursuing their passions! I'd like to know how the other book mentioned ties in with TJEd... here's a link: http://www.thecalltobrilliance.com/ I'll be exploring a bit.
This is cool, but it's not very informative (of course, I already know quite a bit about homeschooling and about TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille.). I expect it will cause some parents to consider teaching their own children, but it will also cause hard feelings in the teachers' unions. In effect, it's saying that teachers aren't needed for third grade, that schools aren't needed for elementary students. I expect a backlash of some type. Defensive people can be dangerous.
I recognized the book on Archimedes that they were reading, but I'm not familiar with the other book mentioned. Is it about TJED?
Cowardly Coverage
Though I consider it a good thing in general to have publicity of the press- to have so much as the word "HOMESCHOOLED" in the publics eye, yet the subtlety of the 3 minute skit was, I thought, a bit coniving and shallow.
First the commentator refers to this NEW thing that she implies is the easy way- the quick way into reaching the minimum standard of educated. The philosophy wasn't at all discussed. I had to watch it twice to make sure they actually said the word TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille..
This coverage could easily be interpreted as the super new diet pill, the test cramming software, anything that promises big and might actually have worked once or twice. How about the fundamental ideas which drive it? Is the public too dull to accept novel concepts like life-long education? I was pleased to see mentorship mentioned, but as far as covering the phases, we got a lovely look at the Love-of-Learning phase without it being named, and no meaty Scholar phase examples which could have truely inspired someone to investigate the method.
I don't know anything about this "Call to Brilliance" book, but I rather thought the book we based our TJEd philosophy on was "The Thomas Jefferson Education." I have a hard time believing that any news reporter investigating the philosophies of TJEd with any kind of earnesty would miss this fact.
There were several times in the monolog moments when I thought the reporter was about to make a point with things she said. As a former Toastmaster I learned to lead people into what my points were carefully. "Margaret might be an Olympic rider someday,..." or maybe something else and so on. This statement bothered me because it seemed the reporter was leading to a point and then trailed off on another tangent.
I don't mean to be antagonistic and I apologize if I offend. I do tend towards conspiracy theorist at times... what can I say? The Gadianton Robbers live on! Knowing that this aired brings me both pleasure and frustration. The monolog, it seems to me, was meant to belittle without making homeschooling families irate. I am glad our voice was heard even if it was muffled. I hope another unhostile report is warranted in the future.
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." ~A. Einstein~
I think if you read the segment titles...
and listen really closely you'll notice that they when they mention the "Call to Brilliance" book they are talking about "other methods" of homeschooling, and have deviated from their TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille. focus. Obviously you can't tell much about homeschooling in 3 minutes, but I thought it was an okay piece. I liked best the bit of the girl with her friends in the "drama" group and the brief mention of how socialization is not really a concern.
Could've been better, could've been worse.
I agree that it could have
I agree that it could have been much more informative. It's a bit disappointing to see a 3 minute piece that only mentions TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille. by name and doesn't really delve in any further. If I were totally unfamiliar with TJEd, the only thing I think I would have taken away from this story is that TJEd is new, and it entails teaching the kids the academic 'stuff' really fast and then spending the rest of your year doing what ever you want. What about the daily exploration and ongoing use of skills learned? They did mention using classics, and mentoring, but didn't show much about how that part works. There is so much more that could have been shared! They could have given a better 'shape' to the day to day idea of pursuing a TJEd liefstyle. And they mentioned another book but not the TJEd book we all know and love. I am also surprised (and disappointed) that they didn't mention Oliver Van Demille and George Wythe College. The news always seems to be so lacking in the yummy details needed to give a good total overview of 'new' information. Unfortunately, this has become very typical. I did like the mother and daughter they featured... confident and in love with learning. It is great to see a family pursuing their passions! I'd like to know how the other book mentioned ties in with TJEd... here's a link: http://www.thecalltobrilliance.com/ I'll be exploring a bit.
Rachel, did you get many hits on the website?
article that mentions TJEd
This is cool, but it's not very informative (of course, I already know quite a bit about homeschooling and about TJEdRefers generally to the concepts presented in the book A Thomas Jefferson Education, written by Dr. Oliver Van DeMille.). I expect it will cause some parents to consider teaching their own children, but it will also cause hard feelings in the teachers' unions. In effect, it's saying that teachers aren't needed for third grade, that schools aren't needed for elementary students. I expect a backlash of some type. Defensive people can be dangerous.
I recognized the book on Archimedes that they were reading, but I'm not familiar with the other book mentioned. Is it about TJED?