The Art of Self-Directed Learning: 23 Tips for Giving Yourself an Unconventional Education Paperback – August 15, 2014

I have been "homeschooling" our two children for many years. Although they have never attended a brick and mortar school, it became more and more apparent to me that there was very little difference between schooling at home versus schooling at school!. Like the author I also became interested in "unschooling" after reading books by John Taylor Gatto. For most of us who attended public schools, the idea that children could possibly learn without structured curricula, bells, and rewards is a foreign concept. However, once you unlearn this idea the fog clears and the reality of natural learning through curiosity becomes clear. Blake Boles has done an excellent job presenting clear suggestions for self-directed learners. Great resource for the "unschooled".

Many students assume that high school is the next step after middle school and that college is the next step after high school. While this is the typical path, it is not the only one. Together with the Teenage Liberation Handbook, The Art of Self-Directed Learning opens the way for students to be more entrepreneurial with their education, starting from the very beginning. Self-directed students are the most responsible, creative, imaginative problem-solvers I've had the opportunity to work with. If you feel that there might be a better way than regular high school and regular college, this book is for you.

It's a book with tips and tricks to train the mind. I recommend it for people trying to get motivated.

I just finished reading The Art of Self-Directed Learning and loved it. I was amazed at how well Blake was able to compile so much practical and insprirational advice in so few pages. I found myself inspired and motivated after every single chapter. It gave me the push I needed to finally, at age 27 make my dreams a reality. Anything and everything is possible as a self-directed learner.

The Art of Self-Directed Learning: 23 tips for giving yourself an unconventional education by Blake Boles is a book that is really written for teens and young adults to digest in light-hearted, inspirational bites. The author runs travel experiences around the world for teens and young adults and is involved in some camps and brings that real-life, experiential emphasis to his message. All in all, I would say it’s very light, and a book I might toss on the shelf for my someday teen but wouldn’t necessarily recommend reading as a parent.My favorite bit might be his chart for mindset shifting, which gives you a good idea of the style of the book:I can’t –> I could if II should –> I choose toI don’t know –> I’ll find outI wish –> I’ll make a planI hate –> I preferI have to –> I get to

I think this is the only handbook young learners need and is definitely a book that teachers, administrators, and everybody else in the business of education should read...and listen to what it is saying...and follow each and every tip. What if schools were measured, judged, graded, audited for how well their pupils became self-directed learners..it is that simple

Amazing book that was a super interesting read and really helpful for getting ideas about self learning. As a senior in highschool it caught my attention on a summer reading listImmediately

Great book but I thought it would be bigger