New York Times best selling author of ‘The Element’, TED speaker, and education and creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson.
Today’s educators are developing innovative new curriculums to inspire a new kind of learning, designed to inspire individual exploration like never before. Among these new-age educators is Sir Ken Robinson, a writer and professor who has worked with the British government, as well as leaders from countries across Europe, Asia and the United States to revolutionize the way we currently educate our children.
Robinson examines the way creativity and the individualized thought and learning processes of children are dampened in the education system by the onslaught of such a narrow curriculum. He feels that the conformity and standardization of the current system kills the creative spark in a child that might allow him to discover his true skills and passions in life and inspire him to push for success.
According to Robinson, the current educational system was set up to meet the needs of the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, which required organizational efficiency and regimentation to get students out of class and into factories to work and support the new industrial economies. The problem lies in the reality that our current system has not evolved with the changing times in order to education system for a more dynamic future. Because each individual has different aptitudes for many different kinds of work, it is important to recognize such differences and allow our children to follow their unique skills—rather than basing their knowledge on a standardized test.
Fortunately, there are revolutionary changes happening in education at schools around the world, where curriculums are being adjusted to allow a child to explore and learn what works best for their unique interests. Technology plays a huge role, and has allowed a shift in thinking from seeing education as a mechanical or industrial process to being more human and organic. It is in that realm that Robinson sees a bright future for the education of the world’s youth.
For more information on Robinson and his work, click here.
