My favourite ‘Ted Talks’ speaker is Sir Ken Robinson.
Robinson is an author, educator and overall fantastic speaker that draws on
extremely relevant topics with regards to education. I have provided my three
favourite videos from him that I believe are the most helpful in my
understanding of how education must be changed in order to better suit the
students in society at this time. He has truly inspired me to be the best teacher that I can be.
The first video
that I wish to discuss is entitled, Bring on the Learning Revolution!, which
discusses how schools are not doing the best job that they can. Robinson makes
a profound statement when he says that there does not need to be a reform to
the school system, as the system is in fact broken. However, there needs to be
a revolution in order to allow for students to have adequate success (Robinson,
2010).
(Robinson, 2010)
Many students do
not enjoy school because they are not interested in the topics being delivered
to them. I also believe that the teachers are not properly engaging the
students. Teachers must look at what interests their students, how their students
learn, etc. in order to have the students enjoy school. This could be achieved
through different teaching methods, such as group discussion, interactive
assignments, allowing students to do projects that interest them (ie.
Performing a dance or song, creating a sculpture with rationale, etc.) instead
of the basic essay or written tests that many teachers have their students
complete. In Stolp and Smith’s (1995) book, Transforming
School Culture, they mention just that when they state
(Stolp & Smith, 1995, p.15)
Students need to enjoy what they are doing
in order to be engaged. Teachers must focus on their students’ needs and
desires in order to allow for the success of their students. I truly believe
this statement to be true. I had a number of teachers throughout my schooling
career that did not make the projects or activities enjoyable. There was one
teacher in particular that on a number of occasions stated that she disliked
her students and her job. She did not
allow for fun to occur in the classroom, and therefore I learned very little.
This is the only class in my schooling career that I do not remember a single
thing I learned, other than that my teacher did not like teaching. I believe
that had she taught with more “enthusiasm and imagination” (Stolp & Smith,
1995, p. 15) I would have learned a considerable amount more.
The
next video that I would like to mention is entitled, How Schools Kill
Creativity. I found that this video is extremely similar to the previous one,
just with some added crucial points. I love that Robinson discussed that the
education system was built for a time of industrialism (Robinson, 2006). The
times have changed, and there are many more options for students. Robinson
mentions that “intelligence is diverse” (Robinson, 2006, 13:00). As a human
race we need diversity. If every person was exactly the same, we would be able
to fill one job position (ie. A lawyer), however, that would leave many areas
with no individuals available to fill them (ie. Police officers, firefighters,
entertainers, fitness consultants, engineers, chemists, etc.). We must encourage diversity in the
subjects that we teach in order to allow for the students and the human race to
flourish.
(Robinson, 2006)
The
final video, presented by Sir Ken Robinson, that I would like to discuss is
entitled, How to Escape Education’s Death Valley. Robinson again states that there are
millions of students being left behind in the current school system. The
current system is “based on not on diversity, but conformity” (Robinson, 2013,
4:22). Teachers must encourage diversity and allow students to excel in their
personal strengths and talents in order for the students to succeed. It seems
somewhat of a daunting task, however, it is important to teach teachers how to encourage and include diverse
students with different learning styles in order for the public school system
to succeed.
Robinson, K.
(Performer) (2006). Ken Robinson: How schools kill creativity [Web].
Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
Robinson, K.
(Performer) (2010). Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!
[Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html
Robinson, K.
(Performer) (2013). Ken Robinson: How to escape education's death valley
[Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_how_to_escape_education_s_death_valley.html
Stolp,
S., & Smith, S. C. (1995). Transforming school culture. (p. 15).
University of Oregon: Clearinghouse on Educational Management.
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