I would like to present an article on a topic that is especially close to my heart - education and what we should teach kids at school.
Due to rapid development of technology, modern word changes very quickly while our schools don't. They were designed for a different era. More and more voices rise that schools no longer fulfill their role or even that they are counterproductive. It is possible that we are wasting potential of kids and killing their creativity instead of nurturing it. Seems like an urgent reform is needed.
Please read what an expert in creativity and education Ken Robinson has to say about it. I also encourage you to watch his speech on TED conference (it is most seen TED in history). Hope you enjoy the subject and discussion :)
http://www.businessinsider.com/ken-robinson-education-should-be-like-farming-not-manufacturing-2015-7.html
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Julia, thank you for approaching this subject. Very interesting indeed.
ReplyDelete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
My memories form school are actually very good mostly due to the friends I made at school. Some of these relations last till now. I also enjoyed the process of learning itself and the fact of getting good grades only for knowing interesting things I learned during the lessons. I will never forget our math’s teacher whispering Pythagorean theorem as if it was a great mystery. It is true I got a bit more frustrated in high school where there was a lot to learn and I needed to choose what to focus on, because I did not want to spend my young years on studying only. As for nowadays schools I can see that the level of education is much lower in comparison to what I remember.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
I would not resign form schools because it is important for a child to have other kids around. I would just make smaller classes and choose teachers who are truly interested in their subjects wish to transfer their passion. I would also add travels so that children could see what Acropolis is for example and how it looks. I think it is also important to introduce children to the world of values such as honesty, truth, freedom, etc., to let them see what is good or bad, discuss it in a group.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Being creative has something in common with living our lives the way we want to live it not paying too much attention to what we should or should not do. Yes, I think it is possible to develop creativity. Brain storms or working in groups might be a good mean for this.
Thank you for this interesting comment. I liked a lot what you wrote about creativity, never thought about it this way.
DeleteEducation is a topic close to my heart too. I am a teacher (I work only with adults) and every day I see how quickly and deeply we must reform our educational system. But I realize that it is very difficult and sometimes I think it is not possible. I think the government doesn’t want to introduce the real reform in our schools. I suspect ruling less educated people is easier. In my opinion, Polish modern educational system is in a very bad condition and I don’t know why it is less strict than the former one? I think modern educational system should be more demanding because modern jobs require new, higher abilities. Only smart, well educated people will be able to face new technological solutions and new requirements. At present in Poland children in secondary school (first class) have got religion lessons twice a week but no IT lessons. Can you believe it? In the twenty first century children haven’t got IT lessons? For me this is not possible, it boggles my mind. Sad but true. I have a thirteen- year- old daughter and she claims that school teaches her cheating only. Following my daughter’s opinion everybody in Junior High School s tries to cheat their teachers because lesson are boring and predictable. Sad. I hope this is only my daughter’s pessimistic opinion. I remember my school time as a very funny and useful time. I think early education used to be more strict and that’s why more effective.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, modern education should be more flexible and strict. In schools teachers should use new technology to present the material. Every day children use their smartphones, laptops, webs, clouds playing games. But in school some old-school learning methods are used. They don’t keep up with the changing world. For kids this is boring and un-useful. Teachers should use IT items to teach more effective and they should encourage kids to improve their tech skills.
I think creativity this is the most desirable skill. Creative people can solve difficult problems regardless the problems they face and the lack of knowledge they suffer from. We should teach how to develop creativity because this is the best way to develop our life in all ways. There are a lot of techniques to develop creativity among kids. In my work I prefer to use project methods and group work.
Thank you for sharing your opinion, I agree almost about everything you wrote, we should talk about it sometime - we could complain together :)
Delete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what teachers are teaching in nowadays schools. But when I was younger and primary school lasted for eight years for me school was quite fun. But I didn't learn anything useful for example how to pay bills. But from todays perspective school taught me how to think. I know that polish children know to much and they learn nothing that can be useful in real world, but in primary school you should have lot o biology, maths and so one because you are learning about the world and this is quite a big challenge. But I would like to change one thing, in polish schools children should learn by fun and tinkering. This will encourage them to learn by themselves if they would know that this can be fun. And yes there should be books but in digital versions (for kindles), so children could read books whatever they want at current time.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
I am not a very big fan of computers in primary schools maybe in classes from 6 to 8. This time should be dedicated to learning about the world and reading a large number of books. This time should be dedicated to learning about the world and for reading a large number of books. I believe that reading books teaches you how to focus and combine facts.While classes should be done with use of multimedia projectors. I think that today's school should combine tradition with modernity.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
For me being creative is when somebody is creating something new and it is somehow valuable. I totally agree with opinion that we can teach ourselves how to develop our creativity. I think that you could learn this in the same way how you learn how to play an instrument or how to paint and this can be achieved by doing it (drawing or painting).
Thank you for your comment, I like what you wtote about learning by fun - I entirely agree, also I find it interesting what you wrote about less technology at the primary level of education and more real life experiance.
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ReplyDelete(Re-posting as having too many google accounts sometimes is not helpful at all).
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's no surprise that the educational system requires a proper change. Especially these days. I agree with the article's thesis, that educational system is still good for industrial age, but not so well suited for XXI century. All the surrounding technology is not used to stimulate and boost creativity of students, but it is still there surrounding them when they participate in day to day classes. This is a huge amount of information, kind of information noise, much more appealing they are confronted with when learning an 'old-school' knowledge.
1. Back in my times in primary school, there were no fancy smart devices, there were no kids with ADHD, no kids with dyslexia or any other 'psychologically confirmed' inabilities. We were confronted with all the information in 'old-school' way, but there no additional disruptions. These days this model of teaching is definitely outdated..
2. Modern education should be adapting to the younger generations. Kids cannot speak well, but they are pretty much efficient in operating a tablet.
I believe that this 'old-school' knowledge is still crucial, but the teaching methods are not necessarily well selected for this lively type of audience. Teaching methods should be focused on creativity and thinking rather then just plain knowledge verification through tests.
3. Creativity to me means thinking outside the box. No strings attached.
I believe we can boost someones creativity. It means usually stimulating, challenging someone, snatching him away from comfort zone. Or even.. stressing. What do you think?
Thank you for your opinion, I think it is interenting what you said about leaving your comfort zone - I agree it is accually crucial in education and developing. I would be very carefull about the stressing part though, leving your comfort zone is always stressul (I know something about it:) and we definately should teach children how to deal with it but it has to be done very carefully.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. My memories of school are very good, I liked to learn.
ReplyDeleteTimes have changed, the school also changed but not necessarily for the better. Students test solutions not problems, but I have the impression as if they were less creative. How do you recall my high school, I see a huge wisdom my history teacher that does not require almost no dates, but we had to know and understand all of the compounds cause and effect, even though it's been several years is still a significant part of this recall. Nowadays, access to information is enormous. Therefore, I believe that instead remember a better understanding. Currently, no need to remember many things because information may be easy to find but you have to know how to apply.
2. Less theory and more practice, more emphasis on social skills, greater relationship with the current world, developing the ability to overcome problems, developing perseverance is the most important issue - in my opinion.
3. The creative person sees a problem looking for a solution, not afraid of the problem but to attack him, as we riddles with PUZ :)
Thank you for your opinion, I agree that there should be more practice and solving problems.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDelete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
I didn't have a good memories about school.I liked to learn but tearchers could didn't teach me and I must learn the myself. When I was younger teachers teach me a lot of things which is not useful. I don't have a opinion about nowodays school because I don't go to nowodays school
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
In my opinion I agree with Wiesław Maleszewski about less theory and more practice
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
We can teach creativity, but in my opinion it is hard, because each of us have a different method of learning and we must learn creativity alone.
Thank you for your comments, I didn't like school either and hated most of the teachers :) It got better for me in high school - it was less stricted and more about individual aproach.
Delete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI don't have good opinion about nowadays schools. Especially about private schools for kids. Kindergardens are pretty good, those with duo language are nice. But in private schools, primary, secondary ones they just spoil kids. Apparently only in Poland, when I compare them to British ones they are so far from each other. And I do prefer British way of teaching, based on rigorous rules.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
I'm a big fan of smart schools, maybe this is a good way to help teaching kids nowadays.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
We should let childrens express their feelings. Creating environment which lets express themselves could help. I don't have kids so it's a bit hard topic for me :)
Thank your for your comments especially if this topic isn't the best for you :) I agree that environment where you feel at ease is crucial in developing creativity.
DeleteI have no experience with nowadays schools. What about my memories? After all these years since graduating I have mostly positive memories left. I remember I had some fantastic teachers that really engaged and prepared interesting materials. I also remember our math teacher that repeatedly caused our class humanists fainting.
ReplyDeleteModern school should make more use of modern technologies. I n Asia children start to learn programming in primary school, they develop problem solving skills. As far as I know in Poland IT classes in primary and high school is just drawing images in paint and using MS Office. On physical education teacher simply gives children a ball and doesn't engage a bit. A lot depends on the attitude of the teacher.
How do develop creativity?
My friend recently started a "parenting" blog. He posts pictures of things he built with his kids from ordinary cardboard boxes: racing car, castle, swords and shields. He does a great job teaching his sons creativity, and thinking out of a... box. I think that creativity can be developed by allowing children to be more independent, letting them play with everyday-use items instead of watching tv, story telling or solving puzzles.
Thank you for your opinion, That is great that you had good teachers. I like a lot that children learn programming so early - I wonder though how these lessons look like if they do not yet know mathematics etc.
Delete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on what school you have in mind, because no school is the same :)
I believe you meant educational system. I believe it is pretty ancient (at least in Poland). However, I received my basic education long time ago, so I really can't speak for current system we have in Poland.
What they taught me in school was mostly useless and impractical. They said that this is to widen my horizons. Yeah, sure. For example, while studying on Warsaw University of Technology they taught me about heavy machinery (you know, stuff like cranes, excavators, bulldozers...). It probably had nothing to do with the fact that certain institute was badly in need on lectures, otherwise it would be disbanded.
I think that the system is actively protecting itself from any changes, otherwise quite a few people would lost their jobs...
Did I enjoy the process of learning? Yes and no. I am a lifelong learner. I enjoy learning new stuff. But what I do not enjoy is being forced to learn boring things. I also hated what the school tried to impose on me: certain way of thinking. You have to be good citizen, the patriot and other bulls..t. Thanks a lot.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
What modern education should be like? I don't think I am the right people to answer this question. The only thing that comes to my mind is: personalized. Which is nothing new, really. It used to be like that: find a tutor, a mentor, a master... and learn from him. The only problem is, this doesn't scale.
What does scale well (but don't work as well) is Massive Open Online Courses, where you can learn from the best practitioners or subject matter experts.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Being creative means being able to come with different solutions for given problem and being able to look at the problem from different angles.
Creativity is no different from other skills, we weren't just born with it. Which means it could be and should be taught. The poor attempt to do just that is another subject we are obliged to complete - PUZ.
Do I know techniques to learn creativity or to be creative?
I actually have took on specific MOOC on this subject, but I didn't find it very useful. It was mostly reiterating things I already have known.
Thank you for your comments. I also hated that school was trying to impose certain way of thinking. I find it the worst in nowadays school - that they are trying to make everybody thesame instead of nurturing individualism. It is interesting what you think about creativity bacause I think the exact opposite :) I believe we are born creative and than stop mainly becaues of the educational system
Delete
ReplyDeleteOur schools are light years behind our reality and our technology. It is very hard for it to keep up. But to be honest this is not so bad. There need to be some limit, some good strategy of using new technologies if school. We don’t want to stop using books but we want to upgrade theme, we don’t want to kill interaction between kids, but we want to run it on higher level.
The most important part is to create a good strategy, and to create a good plan. How to use it, when to use it, in what purpose. Using technology just for itself is pointless and it can bring more bad than good. We need to remember that today’s kids are forgetting what and how to use book because they have smartphones and tables. That is a true disaster. I wrote even a bit about that on my blog. If you`re interested below I’m putting link to it:
http://www.augmented-universe.com/2015/09/technology-in-school-is-great-but-is.html
http://www.augmented-universe.com/2015/09/technology-in-education-is-future.html
Thank you for your opinion and sharing your blog - I will certainly read it.
DeleteFirst of all, thank you so much for this subject.
ReplyDeleteI can speak only for the education system in Tunisia, which has a number of issues, of which I will discuss three. The first, it is the focus on grades and testing. Second is the near total absence of individualized education. Finally there is misunderstanding of creativity which affects all grade levels and subjects.
-The consequences of the focus on grades and testing, as well as the issues inherent in standardized testing as it exists now and how they arose, In short, students are judged based on a letter or number which often has little or nothing to do with that student's knowledge or abilities.
-The second issue, a lack of individualized education, is related to the emphasis on testing. Because educators teach to the tests, and the tests are often standardized, so then is education. Standardized education does have some potential advantages, as it can produce a mass of universal knowledge and a set of shared skills. However, education that is standardized by testing produces neither while individualized education can be applied to produce both. By individualized education I mean teaching with an awareness that students have different strengths and weaknesses as well as different learning styles.
-With so many students per teacher, shortcuts become inevitable and one in particular that I have observed is labeling students as "creative types" and relegating them to the (underfunded and poorly constructed) arts programs. While this is not a universal practice, it does reflect the conception of creativity in the standardized education system and reveals the incompatibility of the two. Creativity is not inextricably tied to the arts, or even the humanities; it is a necessary trait for advanced study in almost any field.
The common thread among these three issues is the emphasis on memory. Memory is good for appearing smart, but is only a minute aspect of being intelligent. The education system as it is now rewards students for their ability to appear smart, through their grades and test scores or from their ability to regurgitate facts; little attention is given to analytic reasoning, creative problem solving, and original ideas.
This is not only a property of the education system but also a facet of Tunisian culture, one which is beginning to change. With technology changing as quickly as it is, there is increasing respect for innovators while previously respect was given to the "well educated" alone.
Thank you for sharing your opinion - it seems to me education system in Tunisia is unfortunately very similar to Polish one.
Delete1.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, early education there is not enough technical subjects. On the following levels of education, children collide mathematics and physics, which can cause resentment. I think that from an early age during the game should be introduced some phenomena.
2.
Above all it should be planned comprehensively. possible to avoid such a situation that a part of the material was in one school and in another it was not at the same level. It should be maintained continuity and fluidity.
3.
We can teach children creativity, eg. To give the child to solve problems. but in a fun way. Children must be stimulated in an interesting way for them.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteprobably I am a “product” of nowadays school. I am not sure was it a good idea to split primary school on two levels:
1st: 6 years school
2nd: 3 years named “gymnasium”
because children are thinking they are starting new level of life and in their opinion are almost adult. In over half of cases they stays on the same school. Each level of my education was a new experience and challenge. I spent a lot of time on additional sport activities like football, volleyball, or gym. I have met a lot of good teachers. I will never forget most of them.
Our education is a very strange topic. There is a lot of schools where quality of the education is high and their students are achieving successes in international level. The most important in this process are students that should want to gain experience and new skills. I think that we should prepare specialists during their education process.
If we take a look on children then they can find unbelieveable use point for standard things. Spoon as a plane etc :) . I think that we are losing this skill when we are focusing on rules and limitations.
Everybody learns differently. Some people like to listen, some like to read. I think the biggest problem of todays education in Poland is that is puts all children in the same bucket by segregating them by age.
ReplyDeleteSome people learn different skills in different time. I myself used to lear math a lot faster in comparison to my classmates. When on the other hand it came to learning history, there was a little bit of struggle from my side.
Since recently I started to learn computer programming from websites like CodeSchool or teamTreehouse.com. I love it, because I can learn a skill in my own paste. I don't have to wait for the rest of the group and also I don't lag behind. I think it is the most effective way, at least for now.
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ReplyDeleteTo be honest I wonder approach: the new government is equal to the need for further reform. Sometimes I ask myself whether the changes can really bring so many benefits. I have no knowledge about the current teaching children in school. But sometimes when I read the opinions of teachers I hear it's getting worse.
ReplyDeleteI like the point of view of Joanna. I believe that the best way to gain knowledge is to explore the world. I believe that if we can develop a desire to explore the world and build a broad knowledge and experience, with time itself comes the desire to seek the principles and interests of more formal methods. In my opinion the key is interest in self-study, often by showing the benefits (not necessarily financial). How well it could be, it depends on the qualification of the teacher I guess. I think it's can be easier when you know how to apply what you have learned in practice. Kant, among many others, put forth that theory without practice is empty, and practice without theory is blind.
Recently I read about the philosophy of Montessori. That's why I recommend you "General Points of Montessori Philosophy" http://www.warsawmontessori.edu.pl/przedszkole/nasza-filozofia. I think this may be one of the interesting approach to study creativity in young children.
1. Nowadays schools are getting worse and worse every year. They do not teach how to solve problems or how to gain knowledge. The main goal is to get high grades, pass the tests, advance to next level of education... It is very sad. As far as I remember I never liked school and teachers.
ReplyDelete2. In my opinion modern education, especially for children, should be more open to child’s needs. For example children like physical activity, they shouldn’t be shut in classes desks. Children like to draw, sing the songs, listen to stories. So I ask: why do teachers avoids such activities in their lessons? In England children learns in open classes. It is proven that teaching in open classes gives great results. For the more mature students I would use another approach something like student – master relationship.
3. Being creative is the way to get a solution for some problems in my very only way. I think we can teach and develop creativity in our students. There are some techniques to invoke creativity in our pupils, but every method depends on the relation between the student and a teacher, if there is a huge gap between them, no method will work.
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteWell, In my opinion our teaching programs maybe are not perfect, but they are not as bad as some people say.. I do not recall well my school days, but that is not due to curriculum and attitude of teachers.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
In my opinion we don’t have the worst educational program in the world. But we could improve it by introducing student individual profiling like they do in US. When student displays mathematical talent for example, he should be directed to math profiled class with limited program in biology, history or geography.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Probably there are many different ways to teach/develop creativity but I don’t know any.
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI can't relate to the polish educational system since I were attending Greek schools, however the teaching process was actually performed in a poor way. It's sort of a tradition in Greece for high-school students to attend additional afternoon private courses to get the knowledge that the public school should offer. 7 years have passed since then but I suspect that nothing really changed.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
Modern education should focus on the use of better learning techniques supported by state of art technology that encourages and makes the learning process enjoyable.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Being creative requires thinking out of the box and innovatively. A semester ago, I attended a doctoral course about creativity. The lecturer taught us a couple of techniques to encourage creativity but I don't want to spoil the course to you, since you might chose it too in your next semester. ;)
I think that in some cases and at some levels of education there are too many school subjects and school plans are overloaded.
ReplyDeleteSchools do not focus on child's interests and abilities and at PE lessons children get notes which discourage many of them.
Children do not learn how to be entrepreneurial and they are not fostered to develop their own interests.
As it has been said modern education should focus on "Promoting the development and well-being of the whole student, intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially".
Modern school should encourage children to pursue their own learning paths.
Being creative means to me a process of developing new methods using non-schema solutions.
It is hard to say whether we can develop our creativity. I think that school makes us loose our creativity.
Everyone who is standing out of the crowd is seen as a problematic child.
I have realized that I do not know any techniques to develop creativity, unfortunately.
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ReplyDelete1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI left the school a while ago. What I remember it was continuous process of memorising things. A lot of pressure was putted on "passing exams knowledge". For example I was not learning physics. Instead I was learning how to pass physics exam.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
There is no golden rule how to teach. Education process have to adjust to the specific person. What suits me not necessary suits you. Unfortunately it is not possible to do once we nave 36 students in one class. You do not believe me? Please have a look on edux: Liczba studentów: 41. in Język angielski (ANG) - studia doktoranckie class.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
We can teach creativity if we have time to do so. If I have 30 students in one class I can only validate their homework and gave them homework. I can explain some basics. I have no time for any creative teach. That is very sad but that is reality.
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI don't have children, so I don't know how nowadays schools look like, but when I was attending school I liked it. I always enjoyed to learn new things. I had my favourites and less favourites subjects. I always preferred math, physic and IT, but history or literature was also not bad.
When I didn't like some subject it was always because of a teacher, not a subject itself.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
I think that teachers should work with their pupils in a more individual way. Every child is different and have different ability to learn and understand. Contemporary school treats pupils too general. It should be more flexible.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Creativity is an ability to think in non standard way. I think that we can develop creative way of thinking, but I don't know any techniques for that.
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI remember school as something that I just had to finish. I had a problem with many different subjects that were absolutely not interesting to me. Of course, now I can only regret my laziness but I'm pretty sure that given second chance I would skip some of that knowledge again.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
The piece of information passed to class should be same as before, maybe the way of presenting materials should be more developed. More emphasis should be placed on ways of obtaining relevant information (usage of internet search and so on.).
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Being creative means doing something by myself, rather than repeating thoughtlessly what I've seen before. I don't know any techniques yet. For sure, I will find (or develop) some when I have my own kids :)
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteSchools nowadays teaching us how to solve the test to get maximum point. This has nothing in common with knowledge and thinking. In extreme situation students only remember that answer to question 1 is: A, no matter of content of that question. That terrible situation is killing individuality and creative thinking.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
Modern education should concentrate to each student separately. Every person is different, have different skills, knowledge, passion and interests. The goal is to discover it and help expand it. That's the only think that make any sense. In adult life there is no situation that everyone is doing exactly the same thing. Child should acquire that knowledge before it will be to late.
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
There is a lot of way to teach creativity. The most important is to not killing it by grade. Sometimes for example teacher could not understand the art in child's painting. Then through grade regulation could stifle they creativity for long time. That's why homeschooling is nowadays gaining popularity. We can develop creativity by showing trees on biology during walk or learn how electricity work by building easy models of an electric motor from batteries and magnesium.
School teach facts instead of problem solving. Modern educations should concentrate on intristic motivation of pupils and teach them how to use it. There are some experimental schools in Netherlands that even use SCRUM as a way of organizing classes and homework and guess what - it works!
ReplyDeleteLooking at my own kids I see that what schools are teaching are the abilities of writing, reading and doing mathematical tasks - so exactly what is needed to sustain the industrial era system, where organization is a silos and its most important task is to accurately process and transfer information. My kids are given points and grades for how well they perform at it, and these notes are given without taking their individual abilities into account. Hence, they are starting to feel bad about themselves and feel afraid of making a mistake. This is totally wrong! The world today expects us to solve complex problems, we need self esteem, strong beliefs in our own capabilities, a sense of observation and critical thinking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with modern education scientists that learning by doing and by participation within practice groups (or communities of practice - the term created by Wenger) are the key to a new school paradigm. Kids learn doing things - manufacturing, arts, farming, preparing presentations, doing their own researches, even cleaning their classrooms and the school, they learn this by setting themselves their own goals. Later they grade themselves for how well they carried out their own goals. They have individual and group responsibilities. They learn to observe, solve problems and be open-minded. They also have space for "unstructured" play, without any goals set. This way they create their individual set of capabilities and a flexibility to react to challenges.
Creativity is simply using the right part of the brain, finding links between seemingly separate ideas, producing new ideas. For uncovering creativity I recommend a book by Julia Cameron - The Artist's Way.
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDeleteI don't know how present schools look like, but I liked my old school. I very enjoyed to learn new things. My best were and are math, physic, IT,history and psychology.
2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
Modern education produces children of tests...
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Creativity is a born's skill, "gift from God" or other superior power :). We can develop creativity but we have to have some point of start, some piece of this what we want to develop. Free Your Mind !!!
1.What do you think about nowadays schools? What they are teaching us? What are your memories from school - did you enjoy the process of learning?
ReplyDelete2. In your opinion, how modern education should look like?
3. What does being creative mean to you? Do you agree that we can teach/develop creativity? Do you know any techniques to do that?
Thank you. It is very interesting subject that is close to my heart too. I'll give answer to your question in reverse order in hope to answer it honestly and maybe it would be helpful to your current research.
In today's information society lot of people think that they need to process information in way to survive today's world. I in other hand would set a hypothesis that the future is in developing and creativity of a knowledge for every people not depend on culture or environment where he grows. Unfortunately we will always found people that thinks that there is to much information to process and eventually we should use some methods to reduce information gathered by our civilization. This is a truly dilemma because we want to save people but in other hand we are cutting the branch on tree where we are sitting. Unless it is controlled we could afford for this counterproductive centres but what if balance is shifted? I think most people want to think that his or her work have sense. In many years I developed way of thinking that until we are developing more added value for science we wont need to fear about our lives but off course there are people who think differently.
I can't judge about the modern education because I don't visit to much education centres. In future maybe we change way of thinking that are served in lot of media channels but I understand the process and demand of different way of thinking...
There are always individuals who would enjoy process of learning but what to do with people witch are tired from learning? ;-) Hmm, we can try to change their motivation and convert them. Even in counterproductive centres there is always little chance to find promising individuals.