What is Slow Learning?

In no other context does the term “slow” carry a more negative charge than in education. To be labeled a “slow learner” is to be denigrated to very bottom of the educational hierarchical heap. In education, slow has come to mean dull, dim-witted, handicapped, disabled, or the more politically correct special needs. Even the Microsoft Word thesaurus offers stupid, thick, and dense as synonyms for slow. And yet, slow learning may be the best opportunity for a deep and meaningful lifelong education.

Much of education has become centered on acceleration. In public schools we celebrate those who catch on quickly and encourage those who learn to perform before others. We often neglect the achievement of students whose development or whose compliance with state-mandated standards is deemed by our impatient demands as behind schedule. Even worse, we label students, keep them from opportunities that encourage learning that is broader, deeper, richer. Even for students who jump through the hoops of formal education easily and quickly, the current need for speed often cheapens learning experiences, resulting in shallow learning.

Slower learning adults, in the long run, have the advantage. An adult who learns at a slower pace, but continues to learn outside school walls, may realize opportunities that others never do. Slow learners can take on self-directed, community supported ventures in business, the arts, social justice, and other areas that may have little to do with their chosen field of specialization in school.

The intentional slow learner controls of the pace and direction of learning. She is responsible for her own curriculum, the nature of her learning, her choice of teachers, mentors, community.  She chooses and is responsible for  the outcomes and the impact of her learning.

In short, Slower Learning

• opposes standardization

• defends against homogenization

• champions the pleasures of learning

• decentralizes and localizes learning communities

• promotes inquiry and dialogue

Sound familiar?  In many ways, Slower Learning draws inspiration from

Slow Food, alternative media, informal education and  DIY communities.