child-led learning at home with no set curriculum. The child's own interests guide what is learned.

Which is an example of vocational learning?

training to be an electrician. It leads to a particular job.

Which is a limitation of online learning?

it needs a device and an internet connection. Not every family has both.

What is progressive schooling?

child-centred schooling with freedom and choice. Pupils learn by doing, and have a say.

Why might a sociologist worry that homeschooled children miss out on secondary socialisation?

they spend less time with peers and outside the hidden curriculum of school. School teaches children to deal with people beyond the family.

Alternative approaches to education · Cambridge IGCSE Sociology

In plain words

School, with its bells and rows of desks, is one way of educating a child. It is not the only one. Some families and teachers have torn up the timetable altogether, and the results are worth arguing about.

7 things to know

Online learning takes place over the internet, through live lessons or recorded courses. It is flexible, and it reaches people far from any school. It needs a device and a connection, and gives less contact with other learners.
Homeschooling is education at home, usually by parents, following a curriculum. The child gets individual attention and teaching that fits them. It depends on the parents' time, money and knowledge, and the child meets fewer other children.
Unschooling is a kind of home education with no fixed curriculum or timetable. The child learns by following their own interests. It can build curiosity and motivation. It may leave gaps in knowledge and make qualifications harder to gain.
Vocational learning is education and training for a particular job or trade, such as plumbing, nursing or catering. It gives practical skills that employers need.
Vocational courses often have lower status than academic ones, and critics say that working-class pupils are steered towards them.
Progressive schooling is child-centred. Pupils have more freedom and choice, learn by doing, and have a say in how the school is run. Rules, tests and uniforms matter less.
Progressive schools can build confidence and creativity. Critics doubt that they prepare pupils for exams and for the discipline of working life.

Worked example

A family who live on a remote farm must choose between a long daily journey to school, online learning and homeschooling. Give one strength and one limitation of online learning for them.

Strength: the child can follow lessons with qualified teachers without the journey.
Limitation: it needs a reliable internet connection and a device, which a remote area or a low income may not allow.
Limitation: the child has little face-to-face contact with others of the same age.

Tips and tricks

Homeschooling follows a curriculum at home. Unschooling has no curriculum: the child leads. Do not treat them as the same.
A sociological limitation of all home-based education: less secondary socialisation by peers and by the hidden curriculum.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Alternative approaches to education: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

What is unschooling?
- school with extra rules
- learning in a college
- child-led learning at home with no set curriculum (the answer)
- learning only online
The child's own interests guide what is learned.
Which is an example of vocational learning?
- training to be an electrician (the answer)
- studying philosophy
- reading poetry for pleasure
- learning a language on holiday
It leads to a particular job.
Which is a limitation of online learning?
- it can be done from anywhere
- it is flexible
- lessons can be replayed
- it needs a device and an internet connection (the answer)
Not every family has both.
What is progressive schooling?
- schooling with strict discipline
- child-centred schooling with freedom and choice (the answer)
- schooling for a trade
- schooling by post
Pupils learn by doing, and have a say.
Why might a sociologist worry that homeschooled children miss out on secondary socialisation?Stretch
- they are not socialised by their family
- they do not learn any subjects
- they spend less time with peers and outside the hidden curriculum of school (the answer)
- they cannot use the internet
School teaches children to deal with people beyond the family.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Alternative approaches to education

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

What is meant by the term "vocational learning"?[2]
Show answerHide answer
Education and training that prepares a person for a particular job or trade.
I got this one
Describe two alternative approaches to education.[4]
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Any two, each described: online learning, through the internet; homeschooling, education at home following a curriculum; unschooling, child-led learning with no set curriculum; vocational learning, training for a specific job; progressive schooling, child-centred education with freedom and choice.
I got this one
Explain one strength and one limitation of homeschooling.[4]
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Strength: the child receives one-to-one attention, and teaching can be matched to their needs and pace. Limitation: the child has less contact with peers, so there are fewer chances for socialisation (or: it depends on the parents having the time, money and knowledge).
I got this one

Answers: Alternative approaches to education

1. Education and training that prepares a person for a particular job or trade.
2. Any two, each described: online learning, through the internet; homeschooling, education at home following a curriculum; unschooling, child-led learning with no set curriculum; vocational learning, training for a specific job; progressive schooling, child-centred education with freedom and choice.
3. Strength: the child receives one-to-one attention, and teaching can be matched to their needs and pace. Limitation: the child has less contact with peers, so there are fewer chances for socialisation (or: it depends on the parents having the time, money and knowledge).