About this Video

• Video Title: Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TED
• Channel: TED
• Speakers: Sir Ken Robinson
• Duration: 00:20:04

Introduction

Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk, "Do schools kill creativity?", explores how current education systems stifle creativity. He argues that creativity is as vital as literacy and should be given equal importance. The talk uses anecdotes and observations to illustrate how the current educational structure undervalues diverse forms of intelligence and discourages risk-taking.

Key Takeaways

• Creativity is as important as literacy: Robinson emphasizes the crucial role of creativity in education, advocating for its equal status with literacy.
• Education systems undervalue diverse intelligences: The current educational hierarchy prioritizes academic subjects, neglecting the arts and other forms of intelligence. This devalues the unique talents of many students.
• Fear of being wrong hinders creativity: Adults often lose the willingness to take risks and embrace mistakes, a quality essential for creative thinking that children naturally possess.
• The education system needs a radical rethink: Robinson calls for a fundamental shift in how we view intelligence and education, urging a move towards fostering individual talents and creativity.
• The importance of human ecology: Robinson highlights the need for a new approach to human ecology, valuing the full range of human capacities and avoiding the limitations of current education systems.

Sir Ken Robinson recounts his son James's participation in a Nativity play where James played Joseph. The three kings, played by other children, delivered their gifts, and one boy hilariously announced, "Frank sent this," instead of naming frankincense. This anecdote illustrates children's fearlessness in taking chances and not being afraid of making mistakes, a trait Robinson argues is crucial for creativity but often lost in adulthood due to the pressures of the education system. The children's improvisation, though technically a mistake, highlights the spontaneous creativity and acceptance of imperfections that Robinson believes should be nurtured in education.

From Ken Robinson's TED Talk and work, we can learn that:

• Creativity is vital and needs to be nurtured: Robinson powerfully argues that creativity is as important as literacy and should be treated with equal importance in education. This isn't just about art; it's about fostering innovative thinking across all disciplines.

• Our education system often stifles creativity: The current system, with its emphasis on standardized testing and a rigid hierarchy of subjects, often discourages risk-taking and unconventional thinking, leading to a suppression of individual talents.

• Intelligence is diverse and dynamic: Robinson challenges the narrow view of intelligence as solely academic ability. He highlights the importance of diverse learning styles and the interconnectedness of different cognitive skills.

• Embracing mistakes is crucial for creativity: Children naturally experiment and aren't afraid to be wrong. This willingness to take risks is essential for innovation, but it often gets lost as people grow older and become more risk-averse.

• Education needs a fundamental rethink: Robinson calls for a radical shift in how we approach education, advocating for a system that celebrates individual talents, fosters creativity, and values diverse forms of intelligence. He suggests that the current system is geared toward producing academics, rather than well-rounded individuals ready for a complex and evolving world.

• The importance of human ecology: Robinson advocates for a deeper understanding of human potential and the need to support a wider range of human skills and talents. He suggests a more holistic approach, recognizing the importance of physical and emotional well-being in addition to intellectual development.