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

waysto 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 http://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.

This article is an excerpt from my 2001 book, Make Your Kid A Genius! (Tools to Maximize Your Child’s Potential from the Womb Through College.) You can obtain a free copy in the "downloads" section of my website at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com