This book was a fabulous read for a music teacher! I so often find myself feeling sorry (for myself) and doing too much complaining about grad classes that 'have nothing to do with what I teach'... However, over the past couple of years, I have managed to get over that little issue as I get more and more into 21st century skills, technology integration in the classroom, and continue in my own learning. I found myself saying [amost outloud sometimes] "Yes! That is so true! Why doesn't everyone do that?"
I found most of my interest in the book covered the reasons why... in creativity. As Robinson states, "Why is it essential to promote creativity? Why is it necessary to develop creativity?" I completely agree with the premise that all people possess creative talents and that it doesn't just 'belong' to people who "wear jeans and come in late." Many people just don't know that they do have creative talents or, if they do sense some creativity in themselves, they often do not know how to develop that talent.
Many business leaders have been asked what needs they have in relation to hiring new employees...what do they see as important traits? Businesses are reporting that employees are not able to communicate well, can't work in teams, and they can't think creatively. Our current education system doesn't allow for creativity to be included in 'core' academics. University degrees aren't designed to make people creative. "I bought a bus and it sank."
Robinson discusses that people who don't show academic ability in school are often branded as less able. But, also that some of the most brilliant and successful people in all walks of life--failed in education. "I know teachers, professors, business people, musicians, writers, artists, architects, etc., who failed at school. Many succeeded only after they'd recovered from their education. What about all of those who didn't? A major reason for this waste of ability in education is academicism: the preoccupation with developing certain sorts of academic ability to the exclusion of others, and its confusion with general intelligence. This preoccupation has led to an incalculable waste of human talent and resources."
The 'problem' with creativity...is that companies want to promote creativity but they're not really sure what it is or who really has it. I found it interesting that Robinson also believes that politicians feel that too much creativity in education is the reason our standards have fallen in the first place. He also states that "creativity is not a separate part of the brain that lights up only in certain people. Creativity is possible in science, technology, business, management, music, in any activity that engages human intelligence. Different people have different creative strengths according to the pattern of their intelligences. Real creativity comes from finding the right medium (being in your element). When people find their medium, they discover their real creative strengths and come into their own. Genuine creativity is not only a matter of letting go but of holding on."
It seems to be a big circle of creativity issues. People in education want to pursue a tougher agenda but feel the pressures of standarized testing from politicians, etc. Politicians say that the pressure they feel comes from businesses... There is common ground, though. Governments put large amounts of money into education and parents hope that education will help their children to find work and become successful. Businesses want people who are literate, who can analyze information, who can come up with ideas of their own, who can communicate clearly with others, who can implement ideas, and who can work well with other people. The businesses want education to fill all these roles and teach these skills to young people. Educators want to provide a balanced education but feel pressured from other, outside, influences. Parents also want education to develop their children's best abilities and help them to be successful and happy.
Education should help each of us find our 'medium', our 'element', so that we can realize our own potentials and develop our creative talents.
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