Do Schools Kill Creativity?

While listening to Sir Ken Robinson talk about education, he brought up some points that I had not put any thought to. He stated that there were three areas of education: first, human creativity; second, we don't know about the future; and third, capacities for innovation. When we think about it we realize how important education is. It is incorporated into every aspect of our lives-family, friendships, work, and so on. Robinson compared education to being as deep as religion and money and just as important. We use education to teach children for a world we do not know. As adults we do not know what will happen tomorrow so how are we to know what will happen in 20, 30, or 40 years? And educate our children and students for such a world? Robinson stated that "creativity is as important as literacy". As children we are extremely creative and not afraid to make mistakes. In fact, making mistakes is part of our education. However, mistakes often make children afraid to be creative and this is something they tend to lose as they get older. The world needs more creativity. Robinson also gave a brief history into public education. He said that public education did not exist before the 19th century and only came about because of the Industrial Revolution. Today, we are in a new world and a new Industrial Revolution. This will only continue to expand. It used to be that many jobs required a degree. Now, the degrees are worth nothing and/or higher degrees are needed. He felt that the only reason for public education was to produce university professors because education used the head but slightly to one side. Sir Robinson made some very strong statements that I agree with. One is that intelligence is distinct. Each one of us has a different level of intelligence and some people are still not afraid to show their creativity. We must use the gift of human imagination wisely. This is all too true. Without imagination we would never be able to dream the dreams that make us strive for what we want to be. Imagination gives us a sense of determination. Finally, children are our hope and that we must educate them for the future to make something of it.