Came across this:
our education systems (around the world) are outdated and mainly designed to meet the needs of industrialization. Sir Ken [Robinson] makes many good points — some you may not agree with — but he certainly is not saying that math and science should be taught or studied less, rather that music and the arts and creativity in general should be pursued more.
I think I tend to agree.
Forget being tentative. I totally agree.
Here’s what Sir Ken says in his own words:
Every education system on earth has the same hierarchy of subjects … At the top are mathematics and languages, then the humanities, and at the bottom are the arts. Everywhere on earth. And in pretty much every system too, there’s a hierarchy within the arts. Art and music are normally given a higher status in school than drama and dance. There isn’t an education system on the planet that teaches dance everyday to children the way we teach them mathematics.
See for yourself – the YouTube clip via Riz Khan:
And the whole thing itself thanks to TED:
Art and culture make good business.
{ 2 comments }
I am a Bahamian currently teaching in the U.S. at an independent school. IMO, Ken Robinson is right on the money. Alas, even independent schools in the U.S. are struggling with this concept.
For further interest take a look at the NCTE’s definition of 21st century literacies. http://www.ncte.org/about/gov/129117.htm
Also, Dan Pink author of “A Whole New Mind” http://www.danpink.com/ and Howard Gardner, Harvard professor and researcher concerning the theory of Multiple Intelligences has a new book out entitled, “Five Minds for the Future”. http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/teaching/TC106-607.html
New skills need to be taught to prepare students for future jobs and for realizing new ways of responding to and acquiring information.
Great post and btw, isn’t TED great?
TED rocks.
Comments on this entry are closed.