Study Tech
Encyclopedia
Study Technology, or Study Tech, is a methodology for learning
developed by L. Ron Hubbard
, founder of the Church of Scientology
. Hubbard's "Study Technology" is used by Church of Scientology members as part of their training, and is also promoted outside the church by a church-affiliated corporation known as Applied Scholastics
, which presents Study Tech as a universally applicable method to enhance the comprehension of any student, studying any topic.
It was publicly stated by Hubbard that Study Tech is directly affiliated with Scientology. He wrote in a policy letter that "Study Tech is our primary bridge to Society." All Study Tech books include a two-page biography of Hubbard which does not mention his role in creating Scientology.
runs a number of primary, middle, and secondary schools throughout the United States which utilize the Study Tech, including the founding The Delphian School
in Oregon, and seven other Delphi Academy campuses. The Los Angeles and Oregon schools offer a full secondary education and award high school diplomas to graduates. The founding Delphian School in Oregon is registered with the State of Oregon Department of Education and is listed as "privately accredited". It is a candidate member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
(PNAIS). According to PNAIS, "Candidate Members are schools the PNAIS Board of Governors have approved as being able to meet the PNAIS Major Standards within a five-year period." The Los Angeles Delphi Academy, along with the remaining Delphi schools are listed with their respective state education departments but none carry accreditation from their respective regional or national accreditation bodies.
Study Technology is used at Hubbard College of Administration International
, an unaccredited post-secondary school that grants a specialized associates degree.
In addition, Study Technology is used at H.E.L.P. (Hollywood Education and Literacy Project) tutoring centers, which are Scientology-affiliated after-school and ESL centers for children, teens, illiterate adult and non-English speakers who wish to improve their English, reading and math skills.
In 2006, Scientology partnered with the Nation of Islam
, the Glorious Church of God in Christ in Tampa, Florida
and Joy Tabernacle Cathedral in Ybor City. All groups adopted Study Tech and their community support volunteers were trained in using the technology to teach children.
In 2008, it was revealed that Will Smith
had donated money to New Village Academy
in Calabasas, a private school which incorporates Study Tech into its curriculum.
Certain parents were upset when Study Technology methods were introduced in September 2008 at Bambolino Montessori
Academy, a private school in Toronto
, but the school's principal and also its dean say that Study Technology is secular and that they do not teach Scientology.
from the Italian Ministry of Education in 2005 as an organisation that Italian teachers can choose to attend, rather than a state University, for their continuing education requirement. In the United States, the Literacy, Education and Ability Program (LEAP) of Memphis, Tennessee, an Applied Scholastics member organization, received a grant of $250,000 from the US government's Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE) in 2005.
Monika Schipmann, an official with the Berlin Education Department in Germany
, stated in 1991 that she considered Study Tech to be "psychologically damaging". Schools which use Applied Scholastics are heavily monitored in Germany.
In South Africa, schools which apply Study Tech have been backed by local companies and have reported widespread success.
Teaching method
A teaching method comprises the principles and methods used for instruction. Commonly used teaching methods may include class participation, demonstration, recitation, memorization, or combinations of these...
developed by L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
, founder of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. Hubbard's "Study Technology" is used by Church of Scientology members as part of their training, and is also promoted outside the church by a church-affiliated corporation known as Applied Scholastics
Applied Scholastics
Applied Scholastics is a non-profit corporation founded in 1972 to promote the use of study techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction author and the founder of the Church of Scientology...
, which presents Study Tech as a universally applicable method to enhance the comprehension of any student, studying any topic.
It was publicly stated by Hubbard that Study Tech is directly affiliated with Scientology. He wrote in a policy letter that "Study Tech is our primary bridge to Society." All Study Tech books include a two-page biography of Hubbard which does not mention his role in creating Scientology.
Theory
According to Study Tech, there are three "barriers" which prevent students from learning: misunderstood words, lack of a physical presence of a subject (mass), and proceeding through course materials too quickly, called too steep a gradient.Usage in schools
Delphi SchoolsDelphi Schools
Delphi Schools, Inc. operates private schools that use the study methods known as Study Tech that were developed by L. Ron Hubbard. The headquarters for Delphi Schools, Inc. are located at on the property of the Delphian School in unincorporated Yamhill County, Oregon, near Sheridan. The...
runs a number of primary, middle, and secondary schools throughout the United States which utilize the Study Tech, including the founding The Delphian School
The Delphian School
The Delphian School is a K-12 private school in unincorporated Yamhill County, Oregon, near Sheridan. It is operated by Delphi Schools, using ideas from L. Ron Hubbard from Heron Books. The Study Technology is licensed through the Scientology related group Applied Scholastics. The school building...
in Oregon, and seven other Delphi Academy campuses. The Los Angeles and Oregon schools offer a full secondary education and award high school diplomas to graduates. The founding Delphian School in Oregon is registered with the State of Oregon Department of Education and is listed as "privately accredited". It is a candidate member of the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools
The Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools is an organization devoted to promoting quality education within independent schools in the Pacific Northwest...
(PNAIS). According to PNAIS, "Candidate Members are schools the PNAIS Board of Governors have approved as being able to meet the PNAIS Major Standards within a five-year period." The Los Angeles Delphi Academy, along with the remaining Delphi schools are listed with their respective state education departments but none carry accreditation from their respective regional or national accreditation bodies.
Study Technology is used at Hubbard College of Administration International
Hubbard College of Administration International
Hubbard College of Administration International is an unaccredited school that teaches administration using methods developed by Church of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The headquarters for the school is located at 320 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90004. The school began...
, an unaccredited post-secondary school that grants a specialized associates degree.
In addition, Study Technology is used at H.E.L.P. (Hollywood Education and Literacy Project) tutoring centers, which are Scientology-affiliated after-school and ESL centers for children, teens, illiterate adult and non-English speakers who wish to improve their English, reading and math skills.
In 2006, Scientology partnered with the Nation of Islam
Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam is a mainly African-American new religious movement founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930 to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African-Americans in the United States of America. The movement teaches black pride and...
, the Glorious Church of God in Christ in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and Joy Tabernacle Cathedral in Ybor City. All groups adopted Study Tech and their community support volunteers were trained in using the technology to teach children.
In 2008, it was revealed that Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
had donated money to New Village Academy
New Village Academy
New Village Leadership Academy , also known as New Village Academy, is a private elementary school located in Calabasas, California, USA. Indian Hills High School previously used the campus, and in 2008 actor Will Smith funded New Village Academy and leased the Calabasas facilities for three years....
in Calabasas, a private school which incorporates Study Tech into its curriculum.
Criticism
Though both the Church of Scientology and Applied Scholastics, another organization staffed by members of the same church, say that Hubbard's Study Tech is tremendously effective, no supporting evidence has appeared in educational journals or other third-party publications. The Study Tech materials have gained little acceptance among public school administrators or scholars of educational theory.Certain parents were upset when Study Technology methods were introduced in September 2008 at Bambolino Montessori
Montessori method
Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 20,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to eighteen years old.-Overview:...
Academy, a private school in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, but the school's principal and also its dean say that Study Technology is secular and that they do not teach Scientology.
Reactions from different nations
Applied Scholastics programs, based on Hubbard's Study Tech, have received some limited acceptance by governmental education agencies. For example, Applied Scholastics received accreditationEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
from the Italian Ministry of Education in 2005 as an organisation that Italian teachers can choose to attend, rather than a state University, for their continuing education requirement. In the United States, the Literacy, Education and Ability Program (LEAP) of Memphis, Tennessee, an Applied Scholastics member organization, received a grant of $250,000 from the US government's Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE) in 2005.
Monika Schipmann, an official with the Berlin Education Department in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, stated in 1991 that she considered Study Tech to be "psychologically damaging". Schools which use Applied Scholastics are heavily monitored in Germany.
In South Africa, schools which apply Study Tech have been backed by local companies and have reported widespread success.