Some very interesting concepts from Sir Ken Robinson. We're all born geniuses... the trick is staying that way. Give it a look and let me know what you think...
Here's part one...
http://www.edutopia.org/sir-ken-robinson-creativity-video
Here's part two...
http://www.edutopia.org/sir-ken-robinson-creativity-part-two-video
Enjoy...
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7 comments:
Sir Ken Robinson made a remarkable statement that until this day I never thought of, “Why do we educate only by age?” Simplistic yet profound, why is our educational system so linear? Why can’t what we now call 4th graders work with 6th graders in certain topics? Shouldn’t we challenge our student to continue to achieve? It would take drastic reform but in our country and at times of change, we may need these paradigm shifts to continue our strength and prominence in the world.
I totally agree with Sir Ken Roboinson that education needs to be reformed. Education should incorporate creativity, innovation, & immaginaiton. Many students drop out of school because they are not challenged. Students should be excited to go school and use their talents to the maximum.
When you educate by age, I see it as a form of power & control. I concept profoundly expressed by Michael Foucalt. Why dont we let our children be educated by the ambitions and intelect they hold whether they are at age 6 or 10 years old. Who cares if they are 12 years old and have the intelect of a child prodigy in math or any other subject. They should be allowed to continue on at their own pace and not the pace set by state school standards.
No Child Left Behind was created off of a 1990 report from the first commission on the skills of the workforce. The report was titled "America's Choice: high skills or low wages!" For the times of 1990 this was actually (please don't kill me in class) very innovative, highlighting key points and pitfalls in the education system. The premises of the NCLB act are actually a combination of a 1931 report and the 1990 report. Unfortunately, it took Congress and 3 different presidents to push through the NCLB act in 2002!
Granted, we all know today that it is a total flop. However, a new report has come out in 2007 which recommends an over haul of the American Education system. It's an incredibly thought provoking read that allows the mind to wander. The report recommends that student's be allowed to obtain their HS diploma at the age of 16 (grade 10) and transition grades 11 and 12 to become vocational training or jr. college level coursework. I'll admit, there are some serious pitfalls to the plan, but it does offer up some rennovations to the education system. I felt it was fitting to go along with Sir Ken Robinson.
If anyone is interested in taking a look at the report you can do so at http://www.skillscommission.org/pdf/exec_sum/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf
Chanda
Sir Ken Robinson made some interesting points. I don't necessarily agree with his "linear thinking" in that we keep all 8 year olds, 9 year olds, 4 year olds together for some random obscure reason however. Children at young ages go through extraordinary developments (cognitively, emotionally, and physically). What a 4th grader can do cognitively is above what a 2nd grader can do in some respects. So I'm not so sure about crossing those age lines to far extremes however grouping similar aged children--say no more than 2 years difference could lay the ground work for some intersting developments.
His ideas on incorporating creativity however is fascinating and refreshing in the same instance. In a world driven by change, technology and improvements, this is certainly a skill and ability that needs to be fostered and promoted as these students are heading into the realm of education and eventually the work force. Creativity will be a staple to their personal and financial success down the road in life and it was enjoyable listening to this idea.
Chanda
Daisia- Brings up an interesting point on NCLB and the new 2007 education report. She states that this report recommends an opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma at the age of 16, tenth grade, and then go to a vocational school or community college before a university. I believe they are on the right track however it should, for some, be pushed back like in Australia. In Australia, many student graduate from high school around the age 18-19, go to preparatory school for two years and then enter a university for another four years. By the time they start at a university they are in their early 20’s, a more confident and mature head on their shoulders to take their education seriously. We need to educate more, not less!
Our imagination at the beginning of life is full of amazement and wonder. As we indoctrinate ourselves down the hall of academia in our search for universal truth, our imagination gets smaller, or is pushed into bite sized categories. We may use our imagination in particular situations, but as far as day to day life is concerned, realism takes charge.
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