Awe. Curiosity. Shock. Fear for humanity. Many emotions spun through my head as Sir Ken Robinson delivered his Ted Talk, “Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity.” I’m not even kidding you; it was like hurricane, but in me. I could hardly sit still. The ideas Robinson conveyed throughout his speech provoked in me an honest concern for education. He makes a point early on that creativity is becoming just as important as literacy. Theatre and art classes are turning into classes that will benefit children just as much as math or science. The reality is, teachers are trying to prepare children enough to be able to thrive in the future world; however, by enforcing “L-Directed thinking” classes, to use Daniel Pink’s idea in his book, “A Whole New Mind,”
and not as much creativity classes such as theatre and art, teachers are, in fact, hindering the future success of their students. In Pink’s book, he displays the evidence that soon, right-brainers will rule the world. I believe teachers need to learn how to enhance creativity in their students in order for them to have success someday. Robinson, in a twenty-minute speech, showed me that teachers are not properly preparing their student for the future. Students, who are good with art, or music, or theatre, are looked down upon in some places. These talented people are considered “weird” or just plain different. Robinson quotes Picasso, who said, “All children are born artist’s. The problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” Robinson then states, “We are educating people out of their creative capacities.” I believe this is true. Robinson’s point is that school systems world wide are not helping children grow as individual artists, which is what needs to happen for their success in the future. I used to draw when I was little. All the time. As I reflected on my childhood, I couldn’t put my finger on why I can’t draw or think creatively today like I used to be able to do without trying. After hearing Robinson’s speech, I wonder if my own elementary education had a part to play in that. I never remember art class happening nearly as often as math or science, and never being valued as much. Robinson inspired me to think about the problems school systems have and how I can be a part of fixing them.
Robinson is one of the most effective speakers I have listened to. He has a message and knows how to draw in and keep the attention of his audience. He sprinkles humor throughout his speech, but not so much that the audience stops taking him seriously. He lightens the mood every now and then so that the atmosphere isn’t gloomy. This is critical to do with a pretty serious topic; however, if the topic was any more serious, joking around may have hindered the effectiveness of his speech. Robinson did a good job controlling the mood in the room. He also tells stories, which is an outstanding way of keeping the audience alert and interested. People tend to connect and relate to stories, especially personal ones. Robinson seemed like he was a kind of speaker who flat out stated his point, and then proved it in different ways. He would state facts, tell jokes, and relate stories. His speaking techniques were very effective and he put forth a very clear message for the audience to interpret. There is a problem in school systems worldwide, and it needs to be fixed.
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