Where do we learn to be afraid to take chances? Sir Ken Robinson believes that one of the most extraordinary things about children is there absolute fearlessness to make mistakes, to take chances. He believes that this quality has been educated out of children to the point when as adults, mistakes are thought to be one of the worst things a person can do. While the title asks , “Do schools kill creativity?”, what Sir Robinson addresses is not focused on what teachers are doing wrong in the classroom but really what is valued in education.
As a teacher, I was skeptical when I pushed play. I started the video defensively, believing that I promote creativity in my students. But as I listened I realized that his point was not to attack the actions of teachers or even administration. He reminds us that we have no idea what the future holds for us, let alone our children. That the purpose of education is still structured around the concept that we are preparing our children for an economic system that is no longer in place. However, this paradigm of academic hierarchy has become entrenched in our minds across the globe in all public education.
Is education killing creativity? Unfortunately, yes it is. Here in the United States we see the affects of standardized testing and the added pressure of developing students in this mold of “educating the head and slightly to one side.” We do value a type of behavior and thinking in our students above others. What do we do though? Can we shift this paradigm to embrace all types of intelligence? Can we truly embrace all forms of education and intelligence as equal?
Even as I felt myself moved by Sir Ken Robinson and agreeing with what he was saying, I don’t think that this is possible within the structure of public education. Our values have been entrenched are consistently reinforced by what we see around us. “American students are deficient in math.” “We are losing engineering and doctoral positions to students and children from different countries.” Our education system is reactionary and we are still reacting to these statements and further pushing the need for further importance placed on the courses traditionally placed at the top of our hierarchical education pyramid. It makes me sad to admit this but I can’t see a change to this way of thinking except through a revolution that would truly be remarkable. Then again, maybe I am just another example of the problem and my mind has been retarded by the fear of making mistakes. I don’t know the answers but I do know that Sir Ken Robinson presents in a manner that isn’t threatening and makes you think about it even after the video ends. While I’m not sure if this will affect my teaching dramatically, I like to think it will affect my parenting.
Where do we learn to be afraid to take chances? Sir Ken Robinson believes that one of the most extraordinary things about children is there absolute fearlessness to make mistakes, to take chances. He believes that this quality has been educated out of children to the point when as adults, mistakes are thought to be one of the worst things a person can do. While the title asks , “Do schools kill creativity?”, what Sir Robinson addresses is not focused on what teachers are doing wrong in the classroom but really what is valued in education.
As a teacher, I was skeptical when I pushed play. I started the video defensively, believing that I promote creativity in my students. But as I listened I realized that his point was not to attack the actions of teachers or even administration. He reminds us that we have no idea what the future holds for us, let alone our children. That the purpose of education is still structured around the concept that we are preparing our children for an economic system that is no longer in place. However, this paradigm of academic hierarchy has become entrenched in our minds across the globe in all public education.
Is education killing creativity? Unfortunately, yes it is. Here in the United States we see the affects of standardized testing and the added pressure of developing students in this mold of “educating the head and slightly to one side.” We do value a type of behavior and thinking in our students above others. What do we do though? Can we shift this paradigm to embrace all types of intelligence? Can we truly embrace all forms of education and intelligence as equal?
Even as I felt myself moved by Sir Ken Robinson and agreeing with what he was saying, I don’t think that this is possible within the structure of public education. Our values have been entrenched are consistently reinforced by what we see around us. “American students are deficient in math.” “We are losing engineering and doctoral positions to students and children from different countries.” Our education system is reactionary and we are still reacting to these statements and further pushing the need for further importance placed on the courses traditionally placed at the top of our hierarchical education pyramid. It makes me sad to admit this but I can’t see a change to this way of thinking except through a revolution that would truly be remarkable. Then again, maybe I am just another example of the problem and my mind has been retarded by the fear of making mistakes. I don’t know the answers but I do know that Sir Ken Robinson presents in a manner that isn’t threatening and makes you think about it even after the video ends. While I’m not sure if this will affect my teaching dramatically, I like to think it will affect my parenting.