Early Highlights from the Online, Anonymous Survey of Home Educating Families:
- Every adult who answered the survey believed that their own knowledge of English, Maths (some Science) had increased since beginning their Home Education journey
Why is this important?
This is very important because their are very, very few places that adults and children learn side by side for any prolonged length of time. In terms of Education Capital there is potentially an increase not just for children, but also for adults which is significant for the future of children and grandchildren as well as for our society where some argue capital of various forms, plays a central role in societal success.
2. The majority of those who answered the survey, felt that they valued Home Education as it was important to enable children to have a voice and some autonomy over their educational experience/journey
Why is this important?
We already know from other research that motivation is crucial to the success of both children and adults learning; without curiosity or interest in a subject/topic/experience, it is unlikely that children or adults will retain the knowledge or go on to be successful in learning as a whole (Krapp 2005;Rubach 2021;Spinath 2005)
3. Almost all survey participants included opportunities for their children to learn from other adults (other than themselves) and this included day trips, social events, educational trips, tutors and family members
Why is this important?
This evidence does not support claims that Home Education children are reliant on the existing capital of their parents/educators. Nor does it support the claim that children may not be receiving a broad education and lack social experiences. At this point in the research, it would appear that Home Educated children are in fact given access to numerous, external opportunities to increase their individual education capital alongside various other families, adults, children and professionals.
If you would like to participate in the next stage of this important research, please get in touch. Stage 2 looks at the value of education, and transfer of education capital through 7 images taken and chosen by the family themselves. B00380363@studentmail.uws.ac.uk
- Krapp, A., 1999. Interest, motivation and learning: An educational-psychological perspective. European journal of psychology of education, 14(1), pp.23-40.
- Rubach, C. and Bonanati, S., 2021. The impact of parents’ home‐and school‐based involvement on adolescents’ intrinsic motivation and anxiety in math. Psychology in the Schools.
- Spinath, B. and Spinath, F.M., 2005. Longitudinal analysis of the link between learning motivation and competence beliefs among elementary school children. Learning and instruction, 15(2), pp.87-102.
It's Your Education 