Unschoolers and Clubhouse

Unschoolers are showing up on the new Clubhouse platform to share information and reassure each other. I've only been participating for a couple of weeks now and I'm loving it!

What is Clubhouse?

I think of it as an interactive podcast. For those a little younger than me, it's similar to the Party Lines of the late 80s/early 90s. Initially, I thought that sounded like it could be a madhouse, but it isn't. At least no in the "rooms" I've been in. The people in there are incredibly considerate - not wanting to "hog the mike," thanking the moderators for allowing them to speak, etc.

So let me share how they describe Clubhouse at their website:

Clubhouse is a new type of network based on voice. When you open the app you can see “rooms” full of people talking—all open so you can hop in and out, exploring different conversations. You enter each room as an audience member, but if you want to talk you just raise your hand, and the speakers can choose to invite you up. Or you can create a room of your own. It’s a place to meet with friends and with new people around the world—to tell stories, ask questions, debate, learn, and have impromptu conversations on thousands of different topics.

Clubhouse is voice-only, and we think voice is a very special medium. With no camera on, you don’t have to worry about eye contact, what you’re wearing, or where you are. You can talk on Clubhouse while you’re folding laundry, breastfeeding, commuting, working on your couch in the basement, or going for a run. Instead of typing something and hitting Send, you’re engaged in a back-and-forth dialogue with others. The intonation, inflection and emotion conveyed through voice allow you to pick up on nuance and form uniquely human connections with others. You can still challenge each other and have tough conversations—but with voice there is often an ability to build more empathy. This is what drew us to the medium.

Why I Like it for Unschoolers

Prior to Covid, we were all able to connect at various live events and conferences around the country. Clubhouse has created a platform that allows us to continue to do that! In our jammies! Without traveling!

One of my favorite parts about unschooling conferences was being able to chat with other unschoolers at various stages in their unschooling journeys. Remember sitting around hotel lobbies, putting faces to the names we had talked with through text online? That was so fun!

Now we can hop into Clubhouse "rooms" together - and even though we can't SEE each other, we can hear their voices. And that's the next best thing!

Clubhouse is like meeting at a Virtual Park Day with way less effort. But you still get the advantages of being able to ask questions and get to know each other better. So many unschoolers feel isolated. Even within their homeschooling communities, they can feel like "odd man out." This will help with that feeling.

It's especially great for unschoolers with businesses - you can listen in on advice from leading experts within their fields, ask questions and learn from other's questions. It's a fabulous networking opportunity! You do know about the MOB (Mom Owned Businesses) , right? They're on Clubhouse too!