Thursday, May 28, 2015

Larsen: Ken Robinson Speech


In this speech Sir Ken Robinson talks about how our education system stifles creativity. It gives a different perspective on the educational systems that currently exist. The point Mr. Robinson presents is focused on the fact that we have no idea what is going to happen in terms of future, and the type of education we need for the future is unpredictable.

Everyone has talents and every person is born an artist, and the challenge is not loosing our natural gifts. Our traditional education system is a limited spectrum of curriculum, such that students who naturally have a different style of learning often fail. Everyone is different and it is impossible for each person to study the same way and experience the same results. This is why creativity is important in education so that everyone has a chance to learn in a way that is most beneficial to their individual abilities.

The process premise in this speech relates closely to the needs in Maslow's Hierarchy. Sir Ken Robinson talks about self-actualization, and how important it is for every individual to find a way to reach their greatest potential through the talents that are naturally given to us. Self-actualization is the highest need according to Maslow, but it is also the most desirable. In a world of  traditional education with so many limitations, and a lack of acceptance for creative ways of studying, people who have different styles of learning struggle to fulfill this need.

According to Larsen's Cultural Myth, "The Possibility of Success" is related to people who work hard and who are honest and true to themselves and their individual paths. In Robinson's speech there was an example of a lucky accident which lead to a successful a diagnosis. This story is about Gillian Lynne who was brought to a specialist as a child because of her possible learning disorder. Today she might have been diagnosed with ADHD. However, in Gillian's case the doctors found a solution in suggesting that she attend a school of performing arts. This led to Gillian reaching her greatest potential and very successful career. Many traditional education systems are not designed to enhance the innate creativity that we all possess.

2 comments:

  1. I love this topic. Thanks for sharing this video.
    Your analysis is very good. He uses the possibility of success as the means to draw the audience in to his solution for this situation.
    I also feel that the educational system limits our potential by focusing our attention on a few aspects of learning and not the whole picture.
    Great job on this.

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  2. I completely agree! I loved reading your blog post because it is a topic that is usually not focused on but needs to be. How are students supposed to succeed if they are only being taught in one structured way? Students learn in different styles and if teachers are only focusing on the core curriculum the students who learn through creativity are being neglected.

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