In a Ted Talks video “How schools kill creativity,” Ken Robinson is basically explaining his perception of how today’s school systems cripple students from reaching their full potential. He argues that school systems today hinder student’s talents and encourages them to take set alternative roads that they deem to be more practical. As a result, it restricts the students freedom to be creative and to express themselves which is key to their development. He promotes a radical change in the schools systems of today to a system that promotes creativity and acknowledges different types of intelligence.
In Ken Robinsons speech, he explains how schools are too strict on kids creativity and talents. Little children have the most creativity because they have the luxury of not worrying about being wrong. Since they aren’t afraid of being wrong they have the confidence to express their ideas and come up with something original. As kids grow up the school system starts penalizing them for making a mistake which makes them hesitant to express their interests and ideas. Ken Robinson also advocates that schools should treat the arts, music, and other programs equally as important as Math and Science in order to accommodate for the variety of interests that students may have. Schools are too strict in teaching and grooming students to take a certain path in life. One of his arguments is that the school system was created in the 1900s during the time of industrialism so people were trained to get jobs that were easily accessible after graduation. During that time period having a degree meant that you had a job. Nowadays degrees in a particular field is so common, that it doesn’t necessary guarantee you a job. This system that we still use today promotes literacy more then creativity.
Robinson in his speech gives examples and illustrations to explain his stand for promoting creativity. He quotes Picasso by saying that “We are all born artists, but the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” This is a problem he argues that we have today where we are being educated out of creativity. They use to say that it is highly unlikely to be a musician or an artists. This were some examples that caused highly brilliant and creative people to think that their talents where not good enough to be valued. He rebutted that argument by telling a story of his friend who became a millionaire by chasing her dreams and working on her talent of being a dancer.
In my opinion, I agree with Ken Robinsons argument that schools should promote creativity and freedom of expression. The times and people have changed and so should the school systems. People nowadays are not focused on trying to earn a particular job or succeed in a particular field after graduation. To accommodate everyone’s interests, talents, and ideas, schools should diversify the importance of other classes and not just Math and Science. School systems should acknowledge that intelligence is very abstract and comes in different forms for each person. People should be well rounded and should be willing to utilize the vast amount of opportunities and possibilities that they are exposed to. As a result, by diversifying their interests, it help them develop intellectually and grow individually. In today’s world, nothing seems impossible