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Finding Flow
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Autodidact
"I have a naturally
curious mind. I like to learn, but I do not like to be
taught." - Winston Churchill
Autodidact is a word
derived from the Greek "autodidadktos", or self-taught.
Autodidacts have always been and are currently in our
midst, but the world's progress has undeniably been
enriched by these self-directed learners in our midst.
Autodidact can be born at any age, but as children they
are often recognized as being quite bright but being
disinterested with conventional pleasures or
responsibilities of childhood (like school). They may
undertake immersive studies of much treasures subjects,
or develop serial obsessions following chance or other
associations.
A peek at the childhood histories of innovative thinkers
and do-ers(Flashes
from the Past Index), will reveal many
familiar names (Michael Faraday, Nikola Tesla, Mortimer
Adler, Steven Jobs, Ansel Adams, Pierre Curie), but
their love of learning didn't assure that they would be
easy to teach.
Autodidact usually need to be provided with
opportunities and resources, and then parents usually
just need to get out of the way. Sometimes autodidacts
do need to be instructed or guided, though, emotionally
when they feel their confidence flagging, or practically
- when they need to learn more about what they don't
know, or consider further subjects or topics that
further their knowledge even more.
All autodidacts benefit from the thoughtful feedback of
others, of course. Autodidacticism doesn't mean the
learning itself is all done in isolation. In fact,
one-on-one mentors often very valuable components of the
whole educational process. Rather, the "auto" in
autodidact mainly learning is self-propelled and
self-driven.
For further reading about the lives of autodidacts,
click
here. Also for
educational historians, you may enjoy reading about the
powerful self-education movement that was born during
the Industrial Revolution ( book review,
here).
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