Tag Archives: Public Education

Changing Paradigms

Posted on by under Life, Networked Media

Ken Robinson’s in the spotlight again. This is sort of going to be a re-hash of some stuff I talked about earlier, but I’ll give it a go anyway. Really, what Ken’s trying to promote is a change in the way we teach children in schools. His theories make sense, too. Fostering, nurturing and growing creativity, that’s what it’s all about. Forget segregation of classes by age, forget academic brilliance as the only indicator of a successful student. It’s not about what you do, but how you do it. Establishing creative process and ability in kids, rather than teaching kids how to make creative things (or in some cases, not very creative at all things).

The idea behind this, is that we create a generation of human beings who are innovative, creative, risk-taking and capable. Then we continue to do it, for generations to come. A complete shift in the way we educate. This would encourage progression and development. It would make organisations and individuals more successful. Not only that, but it would make people happier. This kind of learning encourages people and teaches them to trust in their capabilities and potential, take chances and keep an open mind. That sounds like the recipe for eternal bliss. If you’re adaptable, able to respond well to challenges (hello resilience) and incredibly creative, what in the world is going to stop you? Absolutely nothing. Give this talk a watch:

I’m not saying it’s foolproof (it practically is anyway, I think the success rate would be much higher than the current system), and learning styles certainly aren’t as good for one Joe as the next. But this is a system that is adaptable to all kinds of kids. It fosters individual talents and abilities. If everyone has a chance to grow in their own way, won’t the chances of a successful generation be much more likely? I know from experience that there are a lot of kids who struggle (currently and in the past) with the public education system. It’s a system that is based on old foundations (as Robinson explains) which are no longer relevant.

This is one of the reasons I was attracted to Networked Media from the get-go. Adrian embraces the qualities and ideas that Ken Robinson suggests. Sure there will be some hiccups along the way and change will take a while (we’re all taught to be so defensive [hello Mode I and II] and don’t manage change well), but in the end, the grass will never look a more lustful green. It’ll probably be clipped closely and neatly too. If that’s how you want it. When you come out of this process, the grass is yours to model and style as you like. That’s the greatest perk.

Education Systems

Posted on by under Theories and Philosophy

Sir Ken Robinson at the Creative Company Conference. Photo: Sebastiaan ter Burg

Earlier this year, Ashley Perry, co-ordinator of Communications and Social Relations at RMIT introduced me to Ken Robinson’s theories of education and creativity, through this RSA animated lecture video.

Not only do I think what the RSA have done with this lecture and a number of other lectures by academics and experts around the world is a great method of communication, but the topic of this lecture by Ken Robinson in particular is also very relevant and powerful in relation to my life and the lives of others I know.

To start off, Sir Ken Robinson is a world renowned expert in education, creativity and innovation, he has been involved in numerous international education projects and a number of organisations over the years.

 

Here’s some more detail if you’re interested in Robinson himself:

Sir Ken Robinson’s bio: http://sirkenrobinson.com/?page_id=10

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Robinson_(educationalist)

 

I’ve followed Robinson on numerous social media sites and have watched a number of his talks and presentations since seeing this video clip, and his theories and ideas make more sense each time.

Personally, creativity is something that I used to have redundant amounts of. After going through high school, that creativity was greatly diminished and replaced with superfluous amounts of knowledge that could be memorised and called on if needed in an assessment. While I’m not saying I learnt nothing from school (this is not true at all), I am positive that my own creativity and problem solving ability was stemmed as a result of the public education system.

It is interesting to conceptualise a public school running differently, using alternative methods of teaching, introducing the kinds of concepts that Robinson talks about frequently. Sure it would take a lot of work and it would be a difficult project to get up off the ground rapidly (our current education system has been built into our genes and culture for years), it could definitely work. The only way that this is going to happen however, is through action.

Upon entering my Bachelor of Communication (Media) at RMIT, I didn’t really know what to expect from Networked Media. Now that I understand how it operates, I am thrilled to have a chance and opportunity to take advantage of a method of education that is less about inequality between student and teacher and more about promoting creativity and knowledge. It’s an exciting prospect to think that this sort of education could eventually become wide spread, and while it’s not a complete reform to traditional tertiary education, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Robinson also takes part in TED talks, a concept developed by the organisation TED. They publish all their organised presentations and talks online and promote discussion and critique of the content through online forms.

 

Here are two of his talks which are well worth a watch if you’re interested in creativity and education in any way:

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the Learning Revolution!

and

Sir Ken Robinson: How to Escape Education’s Death Valley

 

 

The (un)Lecture?

Posted on by under The Unlectures

Building 80. Somewhat related. Photo: Pat M

What a strange concept and idea. A Lecture, that’s not a lecture. Why don’t we just stay home? Well, Adrian is a very convincing man, he’s got me. I’m very convinced. I am someone who has done well in the current education format in Australia, but I am also someone who hasn’t performed to their potential. Adrian has opened more doors for me that have been previously only left a-jar by distant dreams of changing education paradigms and education reforms.

I am glad that there are more people than I thought actively involved in advocating and pushing for alternative styles of learning. Employers wants employees who are fast thinking and creative, who can solve problems with ease and possess a range of skills. The problem is the current education system is not exactly accepting of this kind of person. Public education systems suppress creative and try and teach you what is right and what is wrong. They put the student at the bidding of their master (the lecturer, teacher or whatever trained educational drill-sergeant it happens to be) and create a power imbalance that is counteractive to creativity and motivation for the students.

I didn’t have a question to write down at today’s unlecture. Why didn’t I? Perhaps I was scared of what to say, perhaps I didn’t know what the question was meant to be about. The point is that I didn’t ask one, and what Adrian said is right. You should be able to come up with a simple (or complex) question to ask at the unlecture. There’s no way to learn if you are afraid of being wrong or if you are afraid to ask questions. I like the idea of the unlecture and look forward to more speculative discussions and question answering.

Disclaimer | Background image: Emma Gawen
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