Make Your Kid A Genius!

How to Awaken Your Child's Innate Intelligence

Irene Helen Zundel, Editor, artwhiz@greenepa.net

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IN THIS ISSUE

Feature Article: Autodidactic Learning

Book Reviews:

Training Yourself: The 21st Century Credential

Self University

Proving you're Qualified

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Autodidactic Learning

by Irene Helen Zundel

Autodidactic (self-taught and self-directed) learning is essential in nurturing your own innate genius, and maximizing your potential. It utilizes at least four aspects of genius — the desire to learn, a love of the task at hand, acquisition of deep knowledge of a subject area, and expansion of mental literacy — that I mentioned in Chapter One.

It also promotes what I call "true learning", the acquisition of knowledge or skill by study, experience or instruction. It goes far beyond what passes for education in our country's public school system. Teachers tend to rely on this method:

teach isolated facts grouped into a subject

impart knowledge by reading and lecturing

require memorization of the facts

measure retention of the facts through testing

move on to the next group of facts

In my opinion, this is a woefully inadequate way to educate anyone! Does it allow for challenging of established facts? Stimulate independent thinking? Expand one's ability to see the larger picture or understand facts and events in context? Does it encourage "thinking outside the box"? Are the faculties of imagination and creativity given free reign? Does it encompass kinesthetic/bodily skill?

There are many ways to acquire knowledge, such as trial and error, imitation, intuition, inspiration, and demonstration. Alone, or in combination, they are all valid and effective ways to learn new facts and gain new skills. The method of acquiring them is not important. The mastery of the knowledge and skills is what truly counts.

I have known many people in my life who were successful, well-read, and highly intelligent, yet lacked a formal education. Two perfect examples are my late paternal grandparents, Joseph Marcarelli, and his beautiful bride, Concetta Ucci Marcarelli.

Both of my grandparents immigrated from Italy. My grandmother didn't have more than a fourth grade education, and my grandfather, wasn't schooled past the age of 12. He went to work at an early age, and became a master craftsman. He spent his life working as a first class cabinetmaker.

Like many immigrants of their generation, my grandparents were proud, extremely hard-working and determined to make good in their new homeland. Not wanting to appear ignorant, they both mastered the English language, and my grandfather set about educating himself. Once he had a well paying job, he invested in the Encyclopedia Britannica, and read each volume cover to cover. He had a phenomenal memory, and could converse eloquently on a vast array of subjects. I can truthfully say that my grandfather was the most intelligent and well-read man I ever had the pleasure to know.

My grandmother was naturally bright and loved to read. She was an open minded woman, and was a philosopher in her own right. A devout Roman Catholic, my grandmother studied her faith intensely, and also watched Robert Schuller and the Reverend Billy Graham on television. She could converse about spiritual matters in a fashion that made some comment that she must have had a degree in theology. She didn't. But she did have a wonderful heart and was an utterly devoted wife and mother to four children. All of her kids grew up to be bright, well-educated, and successful in their own right.

Today we have a mentality of "credentialism". We think the more qualified individual is the one with a diploma from an ivy league school, or has exclusive membership in a professional organization, guild, lodge, secret society, or social club. But are pieces of paper nicely framed and prominently displayed really an indication of ability? And does having the proper credentials guarantee employability? Any more, people are spending exorbitant amounts to acquire a college degree, only to find it is nearly impossible to get a job in their area they majored in.

Would it surprise you to learn that many famous, successful, and highly intelligent people were autodidactic learners? Here are just a few!

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) Statesman, inventor, publisher, and co-author of the Declaration of Independence abandoned formal education at age 10.

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) Genius and inventor, with over 1,000 patents to his credit. At the age of 12 teachers deemed him too stupid to learn. His mother homeschooled him.

Walt Disney (1901-1996) Co-founder of the Disney media empire. Walt learned cartooning on his own and through a correspondence class.

Samuel Clemens (1835-1910) aka Mark Twain, beloved American author of such classics as Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Samuel left school at the age of 13 and worked as a delivery boy, blacksmith's helper, grocery clerk, typesetter and river boat pilot before becoming a celebrated writer.

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) As a slave, Frederick was not allowed to be educated, but a sympathetic abolitionist taught him how to read and write. He won his freedom in 1838, and set about learning from more educated people around him. He became known as a great orator, writer and leader in the abolitionist movement.

The lack of a formal education and proper credentials didn't prevent these great minds from developing their own special genius and making major contributions to the world. Should it hinder you?

To learn more:

read these books by Charles D. Hayes

Proving You're Qualified: Strategies for Competent People Without College Degrees

Training Yourself: The 21st Century Credential

Self University: The Price of Tuition is the Desire to Learn. Your Degree is a Better Life.

and visit his website at www.autodidactic.com

You can subscribe there to his e mail publication Self University Newsletter.

To contact Mr. Hayes, e mail him at info@autodidactic.com.

Book Review: Training Yourself: The 21st Century Credential

by Irene Helen Zundel

Training Yourself: The 21st Century Credential

Charles D. Hayes

Autodidactic Press, 2000

This book is a pocket-sized powerhouse of good information! The author, self-educated and successful in a number of careers in his lifetime, shows you how to acquire on your own what you need to compete in the job market and earn a good living.

He says it all succinctly in a catchy phrase I really like: Earning a living is tantamount to learning a living. Whether you have a wall full of degrees and credentials, or none at all, what is important is to see to your own education and training to ensure your future employability.

Mr. Hayes makes the important distinction between education and training. Education is the theory side of your enterprise, learning is the technique. Formal education is learning followed by a test, training is an open book test — your ability to demonstrate what you know by utilizing your job skills.

Credentials don't guarantee competency in a field. They indicate only a textbook knowledge of a subject. Some credentials are even earned without merit, or can be forged. Experience, aptitude, and ability can not be faked. It is demonstrable training, in the end, that is important in the business world, and where we should place our emphasis.

When we take an autodidactic approach to living, we educate and train ourselves in an active, not passive fashion. Learning becomes a process, not a passive exercise, and what knowledge we gain from study is practically applied. We learn how to think, problem solve, troubleshoot, improvise, and adapt in real work situations, instead of just reading, memorizing, and regurgitating standardized knowledge on a test. It is those abilities that make us employable and our jobs and lives interesting and enjoyable. As the author so nicely puts it, we can both earn a good living and live a good living!

There are 11 short, very readable, and helpful chapters:

Seize the Initiative

Think of an Education as Something You Take

Understand Workplace Knowledge

Learn How You Learn

Capitalize on Strengths

Show Interest in Your Work

Build Your Own Resource Bank

Look to the Future

Expect Change

Meet Your Objectives

Read More Books

You could read this little book in one sitting, but I suspect that once you do, you will want to carry it with you and refer to it again and again. It is full of bite-size pieces of practical wisdom. I highly recommend this book!

Book Review: Self University

by Irene Helen Zundel

Self University

Charles D. Hayes

Autodidactic Press, 1989

For those who are self-educated or lacking proper credentials in their chosen career area, this is a book whose value can not be underestimated. Mr. Hayes explains clearly and expertly how you can educate yourself for continuing career success, and how to document your training and work experiences for a prospective employer.

You needn't be ashamed of your lack of credentials, nor despair that you'll need to spend years in a traditional university charging exorbitant fees, getting the education you need. The author tells you how to create your own university that will empower you for life. Best of all, the materials are easily accessible and the costs are very small.

The book is divided into four parts:

Part one explores the ways we are taught, how we are influenced by the media, and how this affects the way we behave and the attitudes that we form. Our attitudes about intelligence, creativity, expertise and genius ultimately affect the way we assess our own unique skills and abilities.

Part two gives an excellent overview of human behavior, motivation, life stages, the search for meaning in life, sociology and management skills.

Part three dissects "credentialism" and shows why it often protects the incompetent, restricts opportunities, and creates stumbling blocks in obtaining employment. It also discusses future trends, the role of technology in the work place and the humanization of technology.

Part four is a potpourri of practical advice in several areas including how to evaluate if you should go back to school, how to create your own credentials, and ways to improve your memory.

The chapters are:

Why We Are the Way We Are

Media and Manipulation

Self-Knowledge

The Personal Sciences

Motivation

The People Sciences

The Methodology of Inquiry

Understanding Credentialism

The Possibilities of Tomorrow

Practicum

Practicum in the Workplace

I love this book! It is written in such a way that it gets you thinking "outside the box," questioning and evaluating how you were taught to learn, think, and behave to fit into society. We are propagandized and made to conform in more ways and in a far more subtle fashion than you realize! All of those external forms of manipulation have an impact on how we view our skills and abilities and affect the way we educate ourselves, work and structure our lives. Definitely get this book and read it — more than once.

Book Review: Proving You're Qualified: Strategies for Competent People without Degrees

by Irene Helen Zundel

Proving You're Qualified: Strategies for Competent People without Degrees

Charles D. Hayes

Autodidactic Press, 1995

In our present society, inequity exists in the workplace. Those with credentials are considered qualified for the better jobs, even though the person endowed with the proper pedigree might be incompetent or inexperienced. Employees that have practical life experience but no fancy credentials are overlooked, or are used as fill-ins until the better educated worker can be found to fill his or her shoes. This book address many excellent issues, and maps out a plan so you can prove you are qualified for the work you desire, even if you lack a university degree.

Mr. Hayes explores in depth misconceptions about merit and achievement, how powerful the hierarchical system is in the business world, and the dynamics of promotion in the workplace. He examines the nature of the beast called credentialism, discusses who is really qualified and why, and gives you strategies to market yourself as "Me, Inc."

The book contains eight excellent chapters:

Changing the Focus to Outstanding Performance

Understanding What You Are Up Against

Understanding Management

Understanding Credentialing Methods

Who Is Really Qualified?

Leverage, Options and Choices

Learning to Live with Change

Me, Inc.

If you are looking for a way to level the playing field in the business world so you can succeed, this book is for you! It is full of good, practical advice, plus it is an interesting and entertaining read. Definitely add this one to your bookshelf!

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Michigan Learning, a parent guide to maximizing your kids' education. This 16-page bi-monthly guide offers news you can use regarding K-12 education today. Read practical tips on how you can make good educational choices for your children, and how to make those choices work. Order the print publication or read it online at www.PartnershipForLearning.org. Or call 800-832-2464.

Wonder Years: ages 0-5, a bi-montly publication helping parents and caregivers make the most of a child's early years. Everything you do during the first years of a child's life affects brain development that will shape a lifetime of learning. Make the most of these critical learning years, and have fun at the same time. To subscribe, call 800-832-2464 or visit www.PartnershipForLearning.org.

Online issues can be found at http://www.fadco.net/~artwhiz/archives.htm

Irene Helen Zundel

Freelance Writer

artwhiz@greenepa.net

www.fadco.net/~artwhiz

©2002 Irene Helen Zündel