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Unschool?
My username is simply a reflection of my beliefs regarding education: Namely, that (at least until the time of adolescence) formal education should be avoided. Structured learning is, at best, simply unnecessary—children will learn what they need, despite us, if we only allow it. And at its worst, structured learning is the greatest force in the destruction of the natural desire to learn that is present in all children. A young child does not need school; all she needs is someone who will respectfully answer her questions when she asks, patiently show her how to do something she wants to do, and gently let her know when she unknowingly violates society's norms. (The irony of that last part is not lost on me.)
Wikipedia and me
I have been editing Wikipedia since sometime in the summer of 2005, having been introduced to it by my then-19-year-old son. I was highly skeptical of its value at first, and even resented the idea that my children and grandchildren would not flip through World Books, as I did back in the 60s and 70s. But in September of that same year I came to accept the fact that I was addicted. I assumed the username Unschool, as a reflection of my educational philosophy.
While engaging in discussions on articles, I can sometimes become quite passionate, but I always listen with an open mind to those who disagree with me. Indeed, I derive a strange enjoyment from being proven wrong (perhaps, if it would happen more often, I would not enjoy it so much). See you on the talk pages.
Toolbox
Vandal greetings and warnings
First Level
{{subst:Welcome-anon-vandal}} {{subst:Welcome-anon}} ~~~~ {{subst:Firstarticle}}
{{subst:uw-vandalism1}}~~~~
Rising Levels
{{subst:uw-vandalism2}}~~~~
{{subst:uw-vandalism3}}~~~~
{{subst:uw-vandalism4}}~~~~
{{subst:uw-vandalism4im}}~~~~
Reporting vandalism
WP:AIV
Simple prodding
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- {{subst:prod|reason}}
Speedy delete
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- {{db-reason|reason}}
Redirect template (b/c I always forget)
#REDIRECT[[article title]]
Pages I don't want to look up again
Categories
[[Category:Wikipedia requested maps]]
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Places all Wikipedia editors should visit
- Category:Cleanup by month — The backlog goes back about two years, but if every editor with at least 5000 edits would take care of one article from here, just once a month, we could eliminate the backlog in less than eight months.
- Why tags are evil — This is a slightly out-of-date essay I wish I had written, and wish every editor would read. It has influenced me greatly in terms of how I see Wikipedia (as something we are building to help the casual visitor, not as a monument to personal vanity, as so many editors seem to see it). I have run across many other editors who have also cited this essay as having exerted a major influence on their editing decisions.
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Personal use stuff
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The Resilient Barnstar |
| For displaying a trait rarely seen these days; the ability to apologise with sincerity. | 06:02, 24 December 2007 (UTC) |
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The Original Barnstar |
| For sorting out a series of major vandal edits on the University of Southern California's article. You're actions were significant enough to prompt me to finally award a Barnstar. --Bobak (talk) 15:30, 27 May 2008 (UTC) |
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Civility Award |
| Thank you for being civil with me over my screwup when tried to fix some vandalism and instead reverted it from your good revert to the vandals version, and the thing on my user talk page. I should know better than to edit when I'm tired. Don't worry! I'm not using popups any more! W8TVI (talk) 05:31, 24 October 2008 (UTC) |
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