''Deschooling Society'' is a 1971 book written by Austrian author
Ivan Illich
Ivan Dominic Illich ( , ; 4 September 1926 – 2 December 2002) was an Austrian Roman Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher, and social critic. His 1971 book ''Deschooling Society'' criticises modern society's institutional approach to educ ...
that critiques the role and practice of
education
Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty ...
in the modern world.
Summary
''Deschooling Society'' begins as a
polemic
Polemic () is contentious rhetoric intended to support a specific position by forthright claims and to undermine the opposing position. The practice of such argumentation is called ''polemics'', which are seen in arguments on controversial topic ...
al work that then proposes suggestions for changes to education in society and learning in individual lifetimes. For example,
he calls for the use of advanced technology to support "learning webs", which incorporate "peer-matching networks", where descriptions of a person's activities and skills are mutually exchanged for the education that they would benefit from. Illich argued that, with an egalitarian use of technology and a recognition of what technological progress allows, it would be warranted to create decentralized webs that would support the goal of a truly equal educational system:
Illich proposes a system of self-directed education in fluid and informal arrangements, which he describes as "educational ''webs'' which heighten the opportunity for each one to transform each moment of his living into one of learning, sharing, and caring."
["Introduction", ''Deschooling Society''.]
Learning Networks
Developing this idea, Illich proposes four ''Learning Networks:''
# Reference Service to Educational Objects - An open directory of educational resources and their availability to learners.
# Skills Exchange - A database of people willing to list their skills and the basis on which they would be prepared to share or swap them with others.
# Peer-Matching - A network helping people to communicate their learning activities and aims in order to find similar learners who may wish to collaborate.
# Directory of Professional Educators - A list of professionals, paraprofessionals and free-lancers detailing their qualifications, services and the terms on which these are made available.
See also
*
Unschooling
Unschooling is an informal learning that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning. Unschoolers learn through their natural life experiences including play, household responsibilities, personal interests and curiosit ...
References
External links
*
* .
MP3 version of the book read for the
Unwelcome Guests
''Unwelcome'' is the fifth studio album by the Death Metal band Arsis. It was released on April 30, 2013 through Nuclear Blast Records. This is the first full-length album to feature Shawn Priest on drums and Brandon Ellis on guitar. The second ...
radio show
*
Ivan Illichs “Deschooling society” verstehen oder mißverstehen?', June 1, 2016,
Bertrand Stern
Bertrand Stern (born November 11, 1948) is a Germans, German author and philosopher living in Siegburg. He describes himself as a ''freischaffender Philosoph'' (freelance philosopher).
He focuses on issues critical to civilization with regard to ...
{{Authority control
1971 non-fiction books
Books about education
Alternative education
Education reform