Depending on context, there can be a lot or very little difference. It’s a lot like a rectangle and a square: all squares are rectangles, but only some rectangles are squares. In the same sense, unschoolers are homeschoolers, but it doesn’t work the other way around.

There are quite a few different methods of homeschooling, from the extremes of school-at-home to unschooling. Self-education is more along the lines of unschooling, and in fact I don’t think there’s any difference at all. You can read more about homeschooling methods here: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/Methods.htm

In upcoming Self-Ed 101 posts I’ll be talking about what exactly unschooling/self-education is. I’m sure the posts will help clarify the difference.

I enjoyed your blog. I always love hearing about how homeschooling has played out for others: the details of their experiences, how its shaped them, how their days played out. :) I’m certainly glad homeschooling worked out for you!

Your story is a very inspiring one. My first experience with school was that of excitement. I was a good student and loved going to school (there’s a family story about how frustrated I was with summer vacation – I didn’t understand why people hated school so much!), until I realized that school wouldn’t give me the opportunity to learn beyond what it wanted me to. The experience of being told that I have to wait to learn something, whether I can or want to or not, opened my eyes to realizing that I didn’t love school at all – I loved learning. The ball started rolling from there, until I discovered unschooling.

The disillusion you spoke of is something I’ve seen happen with quite a few teachers. It’s interesting to me how some people react by rejecting the system, others trying harder to get the system to work, and how some stay but without any illusions (those have been the best teachers I’ve had – ones I’ve discussed homeschooling with that completely supported the decision). The many discussions I’ve had with teachers have brought me to the understanding that while most teachers are frustrated with their career, many of them never understand why. The best way I can put it is that the school system can work in theory, but it doesn’t work in practice. As you said, learning is fueled by everyone’s inherent curiosity.

Thank you for your comment!

I was home-schooled all my life until college (which I began attending when I was sixteen) and graduated last spring with a music performance degree. I absolutely loved being schooled at home… you can read more of my story if you want to here:

http://playguitar4him.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-i-think-of-education-part-iii.html