Video Reflection: Do Schools Kill Creativity

In this presentation, the man speaking had several interesting views that I appreciated. In speaking to teachers he said, "all kids have tremendous talents and we squander them." He also said, "Creativity now is as important as literacy and we should treat it with the same status." So, understanding that creativity is being squandered or at best pushed to the bottom of the learning hierarchy, and also understanding its great importance, can allow teachers to re-evaluate their method and philosophy behind teaching. When children are young, the worst thing isn't 'being wrong' like it becomes by adulthood. This is an example of creativity being squandered. It was also said, "We are educating people out of their creativity." The school system is set up in a way that the universities design the system in their image." The highest form of academic achievement seems to be the 'university professors.' I agree that this needs to change or else there will be an academic inflation where the only jobs available require masters degrees. "We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we're educating our children." This quote sums up the entire article by expressing the need to reconsider our teaching techniques as a whole and as individual teachers. Why is art at the bottom, why is creativity at the bottom, and why are there less and less imaginative thinkers? Certainly we must "use our gift of imagination wisely." I found this video to be a very positive motivating speech that provided psychological facts and data supporting art. If art and creativity will help my students be successful and reach their individual potentials, then I need to consider it as a vitality to my curriculum and daily lesson planning.