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Thanks Rick, I enjoyed it. I really did, so take the following reactions in context. My first reaction (as an educator) is that _my_ class inspires creativity, but not everybody is happy with that. I'm lucky to teach computer programming where I can give kids open ended assignments that allow kids to merge math, physics, music and art. (I'll put in a plug here for how wonderful processing from processing.org is. Check out openprocessing.org for some great examples.) The expectation of creativity can be a very intimating, and not all children are comfortable with that. Think about it, in the extreme, creativity in an academic environment can be "do something cool, and I want it by Friday." I'd imagine for most of us on this list, that's an appealing challenge, but many kids want structure, anonymity, and feel paralyzed by the pressure to perform. Before I got a full time job I got to substitute in a variety of classrooms. I was shocked how easily some students could write spontaneous poetry or get up and dance, and how incredibly difficult it was for others. You couldn't replicate the same lesson in a different classroom with different students. My second reaction is that education is constrained by group dynamics. It's hard in a group of 30 or so to give individual freedom, and yet to provide support and security for every child. I also teach algebra on occasion, and well frankly, there is less room for creativity there. Obviously, there is creativity and elegance in math, but there are also standardized tools and algorithms, and I'd do a disservice to the majority of students if I didn't cover them. I find the contention that I should teach students what they need to succeed in 2065 preposterous. I can teach kids what I know, and I can create an environment that encourages them to experiment. I can't solve the problems of drug abuse, teen pregnancy, cultural and social alienation, or proselytize kids to change their sexual orientation. I have a powerful, yet limited, position, and I'm often frustrated with people who view "education" as the solution to every perceived problem that society faces. Ultimately we need to make our way through life, and we'll get some support from our family, friends, community and school, and other things we'll have to figure out ourselves. OK, phew, I feel better now. And yet, I did think that was a great talk. Thanks! : ) On Tue, May 5, 2009 at 6:11 PM, Rick Walker <looppool@cruzio.com> wrote: > This is a humorous, entertaining and thought provoking short talk > on Creativity and the it's role in current global education systems > by Sir Ken Robinson, speaking at the TED conference on creativity. > > >http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html > -- Art Simon simart@gmail.com myspace [dot] com/artsimon