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The idea that humans need structured, timed learning promotes stress, anxiety and an overall dislike for learning new things. 

Self-directed education is liberatory in the sense that the student takes direction over their learning process, allowing for free, authentic understanding and exploration of topics.

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We all hope our children meet that unique teacher that will spark and inspire their passion, but what if, the teacher is actually within. What if students were able to inspire, motivate, and spark their passion by trusting, loving, listening, and understanding themselves.

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Music Unlimited's program takes tools and practices from play-based and self-directed schools, networks, and communities and focuses on fostering these skills toward a music practice. Learning music and becoming a self-directed learner go almost hand in hand, one enabling the other in constant growth.

 

At MU we have Facilitators and mentors, instead of teachers, and all students and staff are encouraged to use tools from Non-Violent Communication (NVC) to communicate, problem-solve, and receive and provide feedback.

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articles & papers

Getting Smarter Music: a role for reflection in self-directed music learning

A thesis written by Don Lebler, from the Queensland University of Technology. Where he dives deep into examining the education roles and practices and the benefits of learners to strengthen and develop self-directed learning skills to quality music making.

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Music, self-directed learning, and the EFL classroom

A thesis written by Gary G. Fogal, from Kansai Gaidai University. Where he analyzes and compares learning English as a second language, music, and self-directed learning. How they correlate, coexist, and engages the students.

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The Six Optimizing Conditions for Self-Directed Education (SDE) by the Alliance for SDE

Research suggests that there are six condidions that are key to fostering abilities to assert and learn on students. 

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Benefits of Music Education by Laura Lewis for PBS Parents. 

An interesting article that explores all the ways in which music can enhance skills that children use in many other areas. Such as language development & spatial-temporal skills. 

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books

The Ten Minute Virtuoso by David Motto. 

A fascinating book that provides strategies and advice to help students master skills and achieve their goals. Visit his website and take a look at his free eBooks, where you'll be able to continue and pursue your music practice. 

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Free to Lean: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life by Peter Gray.

A leading expert in childhood development makes the case for why self-directed and unstructured learning is a wonderful way to get kids to learn.

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Radical Unschooling: A revolution has begun by Dayna Martin. 

Mrs. Martin takes us behind the curtain to see in rich detail what alternative education really looks like when it bestows upon its subjects the freedom to choose.

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The Art of Self-Directed Learning by Blake Boles

Drawing on a decade of research, adventures, and interviews conducted by Blake Boles (author of College Without High School and Better Than College), this book will inspire you to craft your own unconventional education, no matter whether you're a young adult, recent graduate, parent, or simply someone who never wants to stop learning.

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more on deschooling

There is a process, known as deschooling, that is often referred to as the adjustment a student goes through when attempting a different schooling method. Often, we are so used to seeing structured learning it is hard to imagine how can learning happen when is driven by the student's curiosity. 

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But what is it? How does it look like? Here are some resources to learn more: 

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