RS 5 Sir Ken Robinson and Creativity

This blog post is my take on the video “Ted Talks” by Sir Ken Robinson. This video was filmed in 2006 when he speaks on behalf of the issue of schools killing creativity.

This article was fascinating. Sir Ken Robinson was not only a joy to watch as he makes great, funny points, but says so in a way that makes so much sense and educates us on topics that are not thought about in today’s world. The main topic he talks about are on education and how it squashes today’s creativity of rising students. Robinson states that as a child, kids are not afraid of being wrong. They will take a chance and are not afraid to give their own creative answer. Unfortunately, the way this education system is based, it is how Robinson says “Educating people out of their creativity.”

 

The education system is based solely off academic ability and the most useful subjects for work. This system was made in the 1900’s based of industrialism. Now that times have changed, Robinson strongly argues that we must reconsider the way we teach. Children that have interests in music and want to be a musician, are told simply that this is not possible and to choose a different career path. This education system is also mainly based off university entrance. The universities set standards to get in and the education system is shaped to fit the needs of the entrance to these universities. This is a terrible way to look at things and I could not agree more.

Intelligence is not just being book smart but it is being smart all around your body. It is diverse kinesthetically and also shown through interactions that go on in our human brain. An example which really supports this way of thinking is the dancer girl, Gillian Lynne, who was having trouble in school and could not do her work. Here many would say that she just doesn’t care or since she is having trouble sitting still she has ADHD. However, as she sees a specialist her mother finds out that “she is not sick, she’s a dancer.” This just shows how limited this education system really is that people are viewed as “sick” just because they think differently than others sitting at a desk to learn.

Sir Ken Robinson makes so many valid points to why we should reconsider our education system. He states that creativity, “the process of having original ideas that have values,” will be stripped of the earth unless we rethink the fundamentals that we teach. Mathematics, language, and humanities all play a major part but so should the other arts that greatly contribute to creativity. I agree with Robinson completely that we need to use our imagination as a major focus and educate our whole human being rather than from just the neck up.