https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:57:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2302466 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:32:17 +0000 daniellemybelle 2302466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally like freedom of choice but structure in the actual process of learning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2302456 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:27:59 +0000 808love 2302456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like a balance. My optimal balance would be to have have a structure 2/3 of the day, 5 days a week during school and then say...2 weekend days off, weekday afternoons and evenings for unstructured learning! :) And a great deal of freedom within structure. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2302257 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:51:00 +0000 MoonMoon 2302257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can I vote for freedom within structure? The thought of completely unstructured schooling, especially for young kids, terrifies me. Plus it seems to me to build a sense of entitlement that everything should be fun and you shouldn't learn a skill or pursue knowledge that isn't fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2302249 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:46:03 +0000 honeybear 2302249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To answer the question of the post, I think that structure is important for everyone, but there can be plenty of space between a structured education and a formalistic one. A highly structured education, in my view, is one that is premised on a logical progression from substantive topic to topic and a progressive development of skills. But there is there is a difference between a structured education and rigidly structured days and environments such as you see in traditional school. You don’t have to have the latter to achieve the former, and in some cases, rigidity is detrimental to the goal of learning and understanding. </p> <p>I think that a child who is naturally inclined to obey rules should do very well in a structured, but significantly less rigid, environment. Schools (understandably) use a lot of external motivators that are not necessary in a family/homeschool/tutor situation, and eliminating many of those could be highly beneficial to a child who has an inclination to adhere to rules for the sake of adherence. I’m sure you will all do great! Like I said in the other thread, at this stage, it’s really about figuring out what works best for you and your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2302247 Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:45:02 +0000 honeybear 2302247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I would call the "do whatever" free-for-alls you describe as unparenting, not unschooling. I have met a lot of homeschoolers personally and they all have different approaches, but I know no one who runs their family like that. But there are always a few exceptions to any rule! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301653 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:07:50 +0000 hummusgirl 2301653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did well in a structured environment because I am a total rule-follower, but I also think it handicapped me - I learned how to "play the game," (good grades, decent college, lots of internships, good career) but I wonder how things might have turned out differently if I took more ownership of my own education instead of just doing what I was told. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301647 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 21:57:20 +0000 DesertDreams88 2301647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know about unstructured vs structured, but I know I REALLY prefer independent learning (as opposed to small groups, or partners, or whole group classes) and I prefer reading, discussions, and watching videos (as opposed to hands-on things or experiments). Maybe some other aspects to consider? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301379 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:51:41 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2301379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The less structure the better with pretty much everything in my life.</p> <p>I think that's why homeschooling worked so well for me. My mom let the personality traits and specific needs of each of us kids really dictate how each of us did school. She didn't impose a strict schedule on me and let my interests guide what we did, and I thrived! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301345 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:37:15 +0000 yoursilverlining 2301345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: how you describe unschooling is definitely not the way tons of people are doing unschooling, both online and IRL (family acquaintances). So, perhaps like you said it has more than 1 meaning, but plenty of people use it as a free-for-all (or, free-for-only-interests-of-the-moment). Which is unfortunate, and imo, scary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301303 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:07:23 +0000 honeybear 2301303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Unschooling does not mean what you seem to think it does, although because the term is quite confusing, the mistake is understandable and I made the same one initially. The term “unschooling” is also likely deliberately somewhat provocative; its coiner clearly felt that traditional school was an absurd way to acquire knowledge. </p> <p>In any event, it does not mean "only do whatever the child wants to do." It is definitely not a perfect term, and there is not a single definition (which is by design), but the free-for-all image you have conjured is inaccurate. It is certainly possible to give a child a completely classical education, including all the fundamental skills that everyone gets in traditional school, in an unschooling manner. The point of unschooling is to eliminate the arbitrariness of school and to make learning more coherent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301156 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:08:37 +0000 yoursilverlining 2301156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: "There are a lot of important skills that students must learn in the long run that they may not have an intrinsic interest in."</p> <p>So much THIS to what you said.</p> <p>I think unstructured schooling works better for older students, like post high school, because you already have built a decent foundation.</p> <p>Giving young children the freedom to only really learn what they want is a pretty terrifying thought to me, and I think extremely limiting for that child/person long term. There's a bunch of foundational stuff we just need to learn in order to understand how the later, more interesting and sexy building blocks all fit together. So skip those because you're only indulging expressed interests (expressed at that moment - like interests don't constantly evolve the more you learn?), like a lot of unschooling/unstructured learning? Yikes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301112 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:29:21 +0000 Torchwood 2301112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unstructured in the sense of being allowed to choose my interests. I do much better focusing on one topic at a time, rather than the 5+ at all times that you get in school. But I enjoyed some aspects of having structure within the topic I'm learning about. I would have done very, very well with unschooling that a parent helped with when I didn't know where to go to learn more on a given subject. Hoping LO is like me so I can do that for our homeschooling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301065 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:50:29 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2301065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I learn more in an unstructured environment, when I'm really interested in something, but I prefer a bit of structure just so I know where things are going/what the end point is. Otherwise I sometimes lose motivation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2301013 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:15:32 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 2301013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in a gifted program in elementary and middle school that was very unstructured. I feel like it was really great asset. However, it was in place of the normal literature classes so I missed out on reading all the typical books on school reading lists. I feel a little out of the loop because I don't have that shared experience with my peers, but it isn't something I would change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2300955 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:40:50 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2300955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends. There are a lot of important skills that students must learn in the long run that they may not have an intrinsic interest in. A good teacher can help kids become enthusiastic about things even when they aren't interested, but it takes creativity and isn't always easy (or realisitic, or even possible) to do. </p> <p>I definitely think there needs to be a balance. I don't think it is beneficial for kids to grow up thinking they only have to learn something if they are interested. I would be afraid it would lead to them becoming an adult who doesn't think they have to do the parts of their job that they don't care about. For example, I love lesson planning but I don't love paperwork. As a teacher, I can't pick and choose which parts of my job I get to do. </p> <p>As a teacher I think it is important to incorporate a lot of freedom within limits. So, if I need to teach reading or writing skills, the student choice might be within the topic to read or write about. If I am teaching content (like social studies or science) the content isn't negotiable, but the way they go about learning or presenting the information might leave an opportunity for freedom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2300927 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:28:44 +0000 Greentea 2300927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Much better in unstructured. I am extremely self motivated. I prefer to master things on my own and ask questions if I need to, so independent studies always worked for me. I would have done well in self-motivated unstructured environments growing up. In college if I have/had an amazing professor, I can learn very well, but if I have some slack job teacher or I am not challenged, I really resent the class! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2300924 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:28:17 +0000 Bao 2300924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the topic, if I'm not interested at all neither way is one I prefer. If I do enjoy it I think a little bit of both is good for me! Not sure on the kids yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/structured-vs-unstructured-schooling#post-2300918 Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:21:51 +0000 mrbee 2300918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up, I much preferred unstructured learning! I would get really into a topic, and then do a bunch of research on my own. My favorite class in college was an independent study I did for my Japanese class. My son seems pretty similar in that he is pretty curious, and when he's interested in a topic he will ask lots of questions.</p> <p>My daughter on the other hand, really does well in a structured environment! She is a huge rule follower, and doesn't seem as obsessive as her brother/dad. I don't know how she will do in a less structured classroom. Balancing their learning styles is a big concern of mine!</p> <p>How about you: did you prefer a structured or unstructured learning experience? What about your kids? </p>