- New York, United States
gina riley
Hunter College, Special Education, Faculty Member
- Learning Disabilities, Alternative Education, Intrinsic motivation, Special Education, Educational Psychology, Homeschooling, and 7 moreUnschooling, Adolescent Behavioral Problems, Adolescent Mental Health, Home Schooling, Self-Determination Theory, Cognitive Evaluation Theory, and Radical Educational Philosophyedit
A sample of 75 adults, who had been unschooled for at least the years that would have been their last two years of high school, answered questions about their subsequent pursuits of higher education and careers. Eighty-three percent of... more
A sample of 75 adults, who had been unschooled for at least the years that would have been their last two years of high school, answered questions about their subsequent pursuits of higher education and careers. Eighty-three percent of them had gone on to some form of formal higher education and 44 percent had either completed or were currently in a bachelor’s degree program. Overall, they reported little difficulty getting into colleges and universities of their choice and adapting to the academic requirements there, despite not having the usual admissions credentials. Those who had been unschooled throughout what would have been their K-12 years were more likely to go on to a bachelor’s program than were those who had some schooling or curriculum-based homeschooling during those years. Concerning careers, despite their young median age, most were gainfully employed and financially independent. A high proportion of them—especially of those in the always-unschooled group—had chosen ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Unschooling is a form of homeschooling where learning occurs not through the following of a set curricula, but instead through real life experiences. Unschooling parents do not try to replicate school or school-like activities at home.... more
Unschooling is a form of homeschooling where learning occurs not through the following of a set curricula, but instead through real life experiences. Unschooling parents do not try to replicate school or school-like activities at home. Instead, children are in charge of their own education, and that education usually naturally fits with their own intrinsic motivations, preferences, and learning styles. This is quite different from what we may see or experience in the public school classroom, where curriculum is strictly adhered to, and testing is the way a student's learning is assessed. In this study, how and when unschoolers learn to read without a set curriculum will be explored. Twenty eight unschooled adults (age 18 and older) were interviewed and asked to recall their experiences with reading and learning to read. Through these interviews, the author sought to explore how reading can be learned naturally, without adult intervention; and how this may effect later motivation for reading, writing, and other academic endeavors.
Research Interests:
Unschooling is a variation of homeschooling where, instead of following a set curriculum, children learn through everyday life experiences. As an increasing number of families are choosing to unschool, it becomes important to further... more
Unschooling is a variation of homeschooling where, instead of following a set curriculum, children learn through everyday life experiences. As an increasing number of families are choosing to unschool, it becomes important to further study the workings of this philosophical and educational choice. It is estimated that approximately 12% of families who homeschool, unschool their children. The unschooling environment itself tends to provide space for self-directed and intrinsically motivated learning, and seems to be a direct educational application of Deci and Ryan's (1985) Self Determination Theory and Cognitive Evaluation Theory. Within this paper, the author describes and expands upon how the unschooling environment is a modern example of true, intrinsically motivated learning. The author also discusses how unschooling families tend to naturally provide the three psychological needs developed within Cognitive Evaluation Theory, specifically the needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness.
Research Interests:
This grounded theory study focuses on the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students who have homeschooled or unschooled. Although some research has been done regarding the experiences of LGBTQ students... more
This grounded theory study focuses on the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) students who have homeschooled or unschooled. Although some research has been done regarding the experiences of LGBTQ students attending public or private schools, this research is the first of its kind exploring the experiences of LGBTQ students who have homeschooled or unschooled. Eighteen adults, aged 18–47, who had homeschooled or unschooled for at least four years chose to participate in the study. Participants reported four main benefits of being LGBTQ and homeschooled. The benefits included: increased freedom and autonomy, escape from traditional school culture, having time for education and exploration about sexuality and gender, and increased peer support from the queer homeschooling community. The greatest challenge of being LGBTQ and homeschooled, as reported by seven participants, was the lack of resources they felt were available to them growing up. The unschooled community in particular seemed especially open to those students who were exploring their sexuality or who identified as LGBTQ.
Research Interests:
Transgender patients have special needs in regards to health care, and studies have shown that there are disparities in health and access to healthcare for sexual and gender minorities. Discrimination exists for transgender patients,... more
Transgender patients have special needs in regards to health care,
and studies have shown that there are disparities in health and access
to healthcare for sexual and gender minorities. Discrimination
exists for transgender patients, whether it is due to provider discomfort
or provider being unfamiliar with this patient population. Either way
both can be identified and rectified by a simulated experience with a
transgender patient.
and studies have shown that there are disparities in health and access
to healthcare for sexual and gender minorities. Discrimination
exists for transgender patients, whether it is due to provider discomfort
or provider being unfamiliar with this patient population. Either way
both can be identified and rectified by a simulated experience with a
transgender patient.
Research Interests:
Worldschooling is a form of home education, where travel takes the place of school. Worldschooling can be done alone, with family and friends, or more formally through a program called Project World School. The mission of Project World... more
Worldschooling is a form of home education, where travel takes the place of school. Worldschooling can be done alone, with family and friends, or more formally through a program called Project World School. The mission of Project World School is to provide learning retreats for adolescents and young adults with a strong emphasis on cooperative learning, co-creation, community, and social learning. This article is a review and analysis of the five retreats Project World School took in 2016, based on pre and post experience questionnaires filled out by the participants. A discussion of the challenges and benefits of worldschooling is also included within the article.
Research Interests:
Each year the American Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) pays over 10 billion dollars for Graduate Medical Education in the USA (1). Up until now there has been lack of evidence based research on the effectiveness of how American... more
Each year the American Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) pays over 10 billion dollars for Graduate Medical Education in the USA (1). Up until now there has been lack of evidence based research on the effectiveness of how American osteopathic trainees learn and are taught. An outcomes based delivery system has proven to be an important tool for measuring the status of Graduate Medical Education (GME) in America. Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) has shown to be an important part of the international medical education system. Since the ACGME (American Council on Graduate Medical Education) started measuring the six core competencies over a decade ago, questions have arisen regarding traditional residency training methods and their benefits. Since the Single Accreditation System of the ACGME and AOA (American Osteopathic Association) was put in effect in July 2015, now is the best time for the osteopathic community, both nationally and internationally, to take a look at how we are teaching residents. Within this article, faculty training of residents, reflective practices, and the assessment of professionalism is specifically focused on. It is of utmost importance to research and reevaluate our medical education curriculum so that we will be able to help meet the needs of future generations, while also graduating competent, globally engaged, professional physicians. This article seeks to show the need for innovation in osteopathic GME and the role that Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) can play in the osteopathic profession to meet this need.
Research Interests:
Although homeschooling, and more recently, unschooling, is slowly gaining acceptance in the United States; unschooling in Hong Kong is rare and considered risky. The Educational Bureau of Hong Kong (EDB) tends to discourage alternative... more
Although homeschooling, and more recently, unschooling, is slowly gaining acceptance in the United States; unschooling in Hong Kong is rare and considered risky. The Educational Bureau of Hong Kong (EDB) tends to discourage alternative forms of education, believing that traditional schooling is the best way to educate students. This case study focuses on the unschooling experience of Karen Chow and her family. Karen is one of the first individuals to choose to unschool her children in Hong Kong. She is also the founder and executive member of EDiversity.org, an organization focused on rethinking education and educational alternatives in Hong Kong.
Research Interests:
This article explores the theories of Self-Determination, Cognitive Evaluation, and Intrinsic Motivation as it applies to home education. According to Self-Determination Theory, intrinsic motivation is innate. However, the maintenance and... more
This article explores the theories of Self-Determination, Cognitive Evaluation, and Intrinsic Motivation as it applies to home education. According to Self-Determination Theory, intrinsic motivation is innate. However, the maintenance and enhancement of intrinsic motivation depends upon the social and environmental conditions surrounding the individual. Deci and Ryan's Cognitive Evaluation Theory specifically addresses the social and environmental factors that facilitate versus undermine intrinsic motivation and points to three significant psychological needs that must be present in the individual in order to foster self-motivation. These needs are competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Because of curriculum and time constraints, intrinsic motivation may be difficult to facilitate within the traditional classroom. This loss of intrinsic motivation for learning prompts some parents to homeschool their children. One of the most impressive strengths of home education lies in the fact that in many cases, the entire process revolves around a child's intrinsic motivation to learn.