The Element & education

Yesterday, I started my blogging journey through Sir Ken Robinson's book, The Element.  Today, a bit more on Sir Ken's thoughts regarding education, and how it keeps us from finding our passion. Don't forget, you can see Sir Ken in action in April at Emergent Learning: Turning Tides in 21st Century Education.

Rhonda

Do you know someone who wasn't the greatest of students, but is enjoying fantastic success in their careers?  I do.  Sir Ken provides a few examples of really creative people who didn't find their Element until after their education was complete - Paul McCartney (who went through school without anyone noticing his musical talent and was turned down by a choir for not being a good enough singer), and John Cleese (who went through school and university without his teachers noticing he had a sense of humour).

Why does this happen?  Sir Ken argues that there are three reasons: the preoccupation with academic ability; the hierarchy of subjects (with math, science and language skills at the top, and musical and visual arts at the bottom); and reliance on particular types of assessment.  Sir Ken says our system of mass education focuses on these areas because of their origins in the Industrial Revolution - math, science and language skills were essential for jobs in industrial economies.  He also cites the influence of the academic culture of universities.  The result - "a very narrow view of intelligence and capacity and overvalue particular sorts of talents and ability."

What else is wrong?  The current systems place limits on how teachers teach and students learn and stifle the power of creative thinking.  I'll let you discover the detail behind Sir Ken's arguments, but it basically comes to this: "We place tremendous significance on standardized tests, we cut funding for what we consider 'nonessential' programs, and then we wonder why our children seem unimaginative and uninspired.  In these ways, our current education system systematically drains the creativity out of our children."

When kids have minds that work differently, they can feel alienated from the culture of education.  If their talents and abilities are stifled, so is their motivation to learn.  That's why so many people who are creative and ultimately successful aren't necessarily successful in school.  Sir Ken argues it's time to change our thinking - and our education systems - to help our children prepare for a life with rapidly changing technologies and world demographics.  "When the only thing we know about the future is that it will be different, we would all be wise to do the same.  We need to think very differently about human resources and about how we develop them if we are to face these challenges.  We need to embrace The Element."

Next Thursday, I'll share more wisdom on finding The Element.  Don't forget - if you're looking for wisdom directly from Sir Ken Robinson, he'll be in Halifax on April 23-24 as part of our conference on emergent learning!