Education System Stifles Creativity…
Does the education system stifle creativity?
Share your thoughts on this article in 5 or more sentences using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, then reply to 2 of your classmates. Click on link below for article.
Education System Stifles...Article
Welcome to 7215X - Technology in Education!
Over the next few weeks, we will explore several educational software and online programs that you can easily integrate into your teaching and learning. We will look at many free Web 2.0 tools that can be used to communicate and collaborate within your building as well as globally. As we prepare our children for a world of work which will be greatly different from the one we currently know, we must also prepare ourselves to change the way we teach so that it reflects best practices, offers differentiated instruction and allows for the seamless integration of technology.
Does the education system stifle creativity? After reading this article, I honestly still do not know how to answer that question. Primarily because this article seemed to be based on surveys of people's personal opinions versus presenting facts. Also, because I'm unsure who to think of the "education system" specifically as. Who's to blame? The teachers, curriculum makers, the states department of education?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article and pondering upon this question, I guess I can agree. We are provided with curriculums, minimal materials, standards and told to go and make magic basically. However there is intense underlying pressure to cover necessary material and have our students pass tests. There is so much to do and it seems like not enough time in the day. So yes, at times we make indulge students in tasks that appeal to their creative needs. It's not that we don't want to or can't, it just seems like what is ultimately used to assess students does not correlate to different creative approaches that can and should be taken in the classroom.
I don't think there is anyone out there who intentionally prevents a student from being creative. All the way around, I think everyone can agree that it is in everyones, especially the students, best interest if creativity is encouraged. I just think it has a lot to do with the fact that technology is constantly changing and many people are unfamiliar with it. Until I started this course a couple of days ago, I hadn't even heard of a wiki, or voki, or any of the many other things mentioned in the syllabus.
How in the world do we close the gap??
I was surprised that, according to a survey, the American educational system seems to be stifling creativity. The survey agreed that 73% of respondents held the view that “…as a country we are not living up to our creative potential.” Just what did the survey define as creativity? For example, different forms of creativity like art, poetry, fiction, music, painting, sculpture and pottery are all considered creative pursuits.
ReplyDeleteThe wave of modern technology has helped the creative activities produced on-line to be considered “part of our culture.” Henceforth, technology has become paramount in creative activities. The article states that, “Children are becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine.” The Adobe Foundation is launching a Creative Scholarship Program open to high school seniors with one million dollars in prize money. This and other incentives are available to boost our nation’s creativity.
Just how one goes about using technology to be creative is a dilemma in itself. However, photography software like Photo-Shop and Microsoft Digital Image has revolutionized photography along with the wide array of digital cameras that are available. So, as a teacher, what can I do to implement creativity with technology in the classroom? I can only hope that there is a myriad of software to drive student’s creative potentials.
You brought up a good point that I forgot to mention in my response. What exactly is creativity? I'm assuming this article is solely referring to the use of technology as a form of creativity, because I feel that Americans are very creative in the artistic areas you mentioned such as music and painting. Using techonology is just one form of creativity that everyone, specifically teachers may not be able to embrace. The hope is that we can at least try to seeing as how the younger generations are being born into a world of technology.
DeleteWhat i got from this article is that the survey is saying that there is a pressing issue or need for more originality in our creativity specifically in the classrom. But how can teachers and studnets be more creative when there are so many administrative demands and mandates that are required to be done? I think the article is trying to sya that students should be encouraged to be the original inventors of their own work rather than piggy backing on some previous work or someone else.
ReplyDeleteBy encouraging our studnets to be original creators (thinking outside the box)of their work they will be encouraged to be independent thinkers and successful contributors to their community and to a changing society. G.Brown
Yes, I think there are connections between originality and creativity. However, by what standards do we judge or assess creativity and originality?
DeleteI was taken back by the rather large percent of the country (73%) that believed “we are not living up to our creative potential” and that 59% of the country felt that the education system was stifling creativity. What did the author meant by creativity? Is it allowing the students to be creativity when using technology or in music, art, writing? I also felt that this survey was based on opinions and not facts.
ReplyDeleteWith all the cut backs, layoffs and large classroom sizes are we given the opportunity to allow our children to be creative?
Is the education system stifling creativity? Just like in the article, it depends who you ask.
I agree with your response. I too would like to know who Adobe surveyed and where these people lived. I think the classroom is one of the most important places for a child to be creative. I don't think this was a valid survey.
DeleteI have to agree with statistics. If only 50% of Americans said that “they are being increasingly asked to think creatively at work, while 80% said there is increasing pressure to be productive rather than creative in the workplace” – that is how they feel and that’s American style of life.
ReplyDeleteAmerican public school system was created by Horace Mann. He studied a wide variety of educational models before implementing the Prussian system designed by Fredrick the Great.This system was perpetuated throughout the early twentieth century by social efficiency theorists who sought to industrialize the educational process. Led by educators such as Ellwood P. Cubberley, they used education as a tool for social engineering: “Our schools are, in a sense, factories in which the raw products (children) are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life.” (Cubberley, 1917).
Believing that most of America’s students were destined for a life of menial, industrial labor, these theorists created a multi-track educational system meant to sort students from an early age. While the best and brightest were carefully groomed for leadership positions, the majority was relegated to a monotonous education of rote learning and task completion. It was nothing about creativity in teaching process. So it is not a surprise that still now a lot of students have lack of critical thinking skills and don’t act creatively, they need to be taught and learn how to do that.
Based on stated above I believe that the teacher’s role is to integrate creative activities in teaching process as much as possible during the class The students should be introduced to different ways of expressing themselves. Thee should be aware of variety of programs that out there for youth and teenagers like “Adobe Youth Voices”, and understand that they can be a part of them as well. That should start with the teachers’ education. The teachers should be provided with this kind of information and they should have workshops designed to show how to implement activities that require creativity and critical thinking in their teaching process.
Another educational paragon, Paulo Freire in "Pedagogy of the Oppressed", mentioned that many educational systems rely on the banking model of education where information in soaked up and spat out. This type of education does not inspire creativity at all. Hence, relying on Gardner's multiple intelligences, we can explore the 8 levels of intelligences to influence creativity in student's work. Technology that can spur creativity and interaction like Wikis, I believe, are vital for student's education.
DeleteAccording to this article it indicated that The Education System Stifles Creativity, but it did not specified which system, whether it is the public or private system. Although this survey represents a comparison between the United States and the rest of the World it only reflected the opinions of a small fraction of individuals.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I do agree and disagree with article. There are many instances in both the Private Schools settings and the Charter Schools where both teachers and students creativity is at its highest and to a lesser degree in the Public Schools. This statement is as a result on the schools individual goals and how they intend to achieve them. In most Public Schools student and teachers are pressured to spend most of their time preparing for the different state assessments, while in the other institutions there are more integration of creative ways to approach the teaching and learning process. Well rounded students are often given the opportunity to demonstrate their inner qualities that enhances their thinking and understanding without having to follow a specific procedure.
For one’s creativity to be effective in the school, workplace or home, the teacher must be given the privilege to openly engage their learners with new and challenging approaches although the same topic is been taught. These creative opportunities allow students to transition smoothly into the world or work where there are constant challenges for better ways to enhance the organization’s goals. The new and even better initiatives will not be effective if they are not accepted by those in authority, whether it is in the classroom, at work or even at home. Accepting changes can be very hard sometimes. I was happy to learn that there will be an Adobe Foundation Creative Scholarship Program for high school students starting in spring of 2013, and I do hope that this will be extended to every school’s district. This can be seen as a positive move for the future development of one’s creativity at all levels.
In the article, “Education System Stifles Creativity” by David Nagel discusses a survey taken that states that most Americans feel that the Education System limits and does not promote creativity. According to the article, globally 73% of respondents find that their country is not living up to its potential. In the US, 62% believe that the education system is limiting creativity compared to 59% of respondents worldwide. This shows that the United States is falling behind and that it can do better and it is up to us as teachers to bring the best out of our students. I don’t think creativity is something that you can teach. But as teachers we can look for opportunities to promote creativity in our classrooms and try to create lesson plans based on students’ interests and experiences. Teachers can create a fun, relaxed working environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, explore and share ideas, imaginations freely.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, "I don't think creativity is something that you can teach." However, originality can be rewarded and then creativity spurs on from this. I remember doing a lesson on mask making art, and every child's mask was different, and this showed the diversity of the class. As far as any type of assessment for creativity, I think that creativity is shown as originality.
DeleteIn the article, “Education System Stifles Creativity” by David Nagel they discuss how students creativity are not displayed in education. The surveys taken throughout this article are all opinion based so it is fair to say that the findings have not been proven. I don’t think as educators we are given the room to be creative in the classroom. Our instruction is solely based on the curriculum at hand and having students pass the standardized testing. There is little room for student’s to become creative in the classroom. There are different forms of creativity, but when do the students actually get to experience it other than during their prep period.
ReplyDeleteThe internet does allow students to be creative, but what happens when there is no access to the internet. Our students need to be encouraged to be creative in school as well as out of school. As an educator, I try to incorporate drawing, poetry, and other forms of creativity in my lessons. I find that a lot of my students love to express their creativity in different ways, and I want to help them bring out their creativity.
I agree that the internet is a way to be creative but not everyone has access to the computer. I think you bring up a good point that students should be encouraged to be creative in and out of school.
DeleteThis article, “Education System Stifles Creativity” by David Nagel discusses how there is little creativity in the education system. I think this is very true. The emphasis lies heavily on repetition learning and testing which eliminates creativity and innovation thinking. The education system is very career oriented which leads to people thinking in a uniformed way.
ReplyDeleteI have read another report by Professor Ken Robinson, where creativity was tested for Kindergarteners, and they scored quite high. When the test was repeated years later, it declined. The researcher concludes that it is not because of age that this creativity drops, but "it's been pretty much taught out of them. They've spent ten years at school, being taught there's only one answer." (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-smirniotopoulos/post_3156_b_1375546.html)
I agree with Professor Ken Robinson, when he says that everyone has creativity but fails to develop it. I have seen many adults say "Oh, I'm not the creative type." Nobody admits to their creativity, because it always seems like it something that can't be achieved.
I think creativity is so important because it opens up the mind and allows you to do so much more than the norm. Our students are not taught to think outside the box, and in turns leads to a society of adults with the same mode of thinking, same ways of working, same limited visions, etc
I agree that creativity is important and plays a vital role in a child's life. You bring up a valid point when you stated that cidlren are not taught to think "outside the box". They are often taught to the books and there is no room for "thinking outside the box".
DeleteI can't say I'm agreeing with this article but I can't find myself to disagree either. The article comprises mostly surveyed the workforce. Just as we, teachers are given a rather high standard at the end of the year, and though we encourage creativity, at times in order to sufficiently fulfill the standards, we forced to trade creativity for productivity.
ReplyDeleteCreativity comes differently to each person, whether it is the inspiration, or medium methods. I feel as though the creativity in this article is blanketed as one single broad term; just as this article presents collected data of the workforce while disregarding the levels of productivity vs creativity needed in each job.
Perhaps it's not easily seen but creativity is encouraged in the classroom in many diverse forms to encourage originality of all types. The Adobe Foundation Scholarships further encourages creativity and I look forward to its future development.
I agree that everyone has the ability and potential to be creative. The opportunity to be creative is another situation. I don't feel everyone is given the opportunity to be creative whether it be at school or at work. According to the article, "One of the problems is that too often our educational systems don't enable students to develop their natural creative powers. Instead, they promote uniformity and standardization." I feel it may seem uniform because teachers may not have the resources or materials they need to be creative in the classroom. In some schools, Art is only given once or twice a week (if at all). Art is an important outlet for kids and should be encouraged. I feel this may stifle creativity a bit. However, there are other ways teachers can encourage their students to be creative either through writing or group projects (social studies, math, science).
ReplyDeleteYes, some of the educational system is standardized, however every classroom is different and the teacher has some responsiblity to encourage creativity in their students. It is comforting to know that the Adobe Foundation Scholariships are helping to support creativity. Maybe some professional developments on creativity would help teachers learn how to encourage their students with or without the resources they may feel they need.
I do believe as educators, we should try to encourage creativity within our lessons.
DeleteDoes the education system stifle creativity?
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that the education system stifles creativity. I think teachers, specifically elementary teachers, are some of the most creative people. Early childhood children are always coloring and crafting in the classroom while the older grades are constantly creating projects, book reports and experiments. The more creative a teacher is the more creative his or her students can be. The current generation of school aged children is very wrapped up in technology as well as the internet which, I think, helps stimulate creativity. Many schools have computer labs and some schools even have technology like laptops or smartboards in each classroom.
According to the article, 51 percent of Americans and 39 percent worldwide agree that "Children are becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine." I agree with this 100 percent. I would like to know how many people Adobe surveyed to come up with this percentage and where these people are from. I think the internet has endless possibilities when it come to imagination and being creative.
I think all children have the ability to be creative in their own unique way. This article does not back up any evidence on why people think that the education system in American and worldwide would stifle creativity. Nor do they even define what creativity means to them. I do not think this was a valid survey.
Valerie, I agree with what you stated, that the article does not show any evidence as to why people think the that the education system stifles creativity. I am curious to find out where this survey was taken.
DeleteI think this article goes to show that there is a lack of creativity produced in the American society and this needs to changed. As the article states, technology can help to bridge this creativity gap among our young students and adults. It helps them in ways to be creative that they probably wouldn't encounter otherwise. I think it's a great idea that Abode recognizes the creativity gap and is funding a scholarship to help students study future careers using technology to help try to close the gap for the future.
ReplyDeleteI think to some extent the education system does stifle creativity among students. For instance, some teachers don't allow for much creativity from their students in the classroom. Students often have to follow procedures modeled by teachers that don't often allow opportunities for creativity or other methods of learning. In addition,many schools no longer offer programs, such as art and music, that embodies and embraces different types of creativity. Students who have a great interest in this field often get limited by the amount of creativity they can use. Overall, students are missing out on creative opportunities which can then extend to the creative gap this article discusses.
This article touches on an idea that should be in the national conversation about schools and education. Creativity is absolutely a necessity in college and in today's careers. Is creativity the same as it was in the past? Should we be teaching our students current technology to teach them to be creative with technology? One of the problems with the public schools is that 40 years ago students were being prepared for careers that barely even exist in our country today yet some (but definitely not all!) teachers still teach in the same way. I have worked with teachers who run their classroom like the military. Creativity was not a priority. Do I think that all teachers are like this? No. But, should schools include opportunities to use technology, posters, or other means of creativity in the classroom to ensure that students do not spend an entire year without creativity?
ReplyDeleteThe article mentions that schools "promote uniformity and standardization." From the work that I have done in NYC at a Brooklyn Public School, I agree with that statement. There was a lot of pressure at my school to prepare students for the state tests, yet no pressure to teach students to use technology, create presentations, or think outside of the box. What happened? Drill, practice, and test! Many teachers talked about the fear of having their students fail because their names would be publicized, they wouldn't be rated well, and they felt a competition with other teachers in the school. I don't think this encouraged creativity in the classroom. For schools where standardized tests aren't the complete focus each day, I would assume that they have more leeway to be creative and incorporate technology and other opportunities for children to be creative. I don't think we should assume that teachers stifle creativity. I agree with Valerie when she said that "teachers are some of the most creative people", but I believe that standardized tests have created the environment in some schools where tests come first and creativity comes second.
I agree with you that the State tests do not promote creativity in students, and that there should be something in the state standards that can enhance a student's creativity: For example, to combine art and science, or music and literature.
DeleteWhen I went into the field of education I thought that I would be able to teach the way that I wanted to. I was prepared to go in and 'do my thing'. I still remember my breakdown two months later when I realized that there was not much room for creativity. It wasn't difficult to think of creative things to do in the classroom. What was difficult was thinking of how I was going to do all this while following a strict timetable that I was told that I had to follow. By the time my first year ended I felt as if I did a dis-service to my students and to myself. I was one of those teachers; the ones that taught for the test. I kept on asking myself if I could have done better, and the answer is yes.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do agree that the education system as a whole stifles the creativity of the students, I feel that as teachers it is our job to become creative. Yes, we have a timetable to follow and the yes the students have the dreaded state exam, but when we teach to the test are the students learning and are they engaged? I am not surprised by the statistics of this article. In my school alone, while I do allow my students to be creative we are often times shunned and asked “how does this show rigor?” Who has ever said that creativity had to be rigorous? In fact I believe that if more people were surveyed we would see that there is a higher percentage of people who feel that because of the high demand of producing good results we are leaving creativity behind. I for one am in full agreement with this article, and I believe that if there are more programs like Adobe Foundation Creative Scholarship, many schools will be reformed in the ways of teaching and bringing forth the students creativity
This article touched on the topic of creativity being stifled due to the school systems obsession with standardized testing. I agree that children aren't being challenged in ways to explore their creative sides. Many schools hardly have time to get through curriculum content let alone anything that would allow students to think outside the box. In the article it states, "70% agree that as a culture we take creativity for granted", I don't agree with this comment. I assume a lot of us were not able to or were afraid to explore our creative sides, fearing the thought of being criticized. We are a nation of conformist, however I do notices a shift from this docility.
ReplyDeleteWe now live in an age of technological creativity where our children and students are able to be creative outside of the classroom. We now have websites like, tumblur, pinterest, etsy and etc. I believe this as a step into the right direction in terms of creativity through technology. Furthermore, the fact that you can create what you want and market to a vast amount of people who share your interest. So in a sense it lifts the veil of apprehension and allows even more creativity to flow.
Lastly with all of these outlets online, we should be able to merge this creativity through technology in the classroom. We have to figure out a way to build on our students creative endeavors and pull out ideas they never imagined they possessed
The content of the article is based upon the personal opinions of people in the United States and elsewhere in the world on the subject “Education system stifles creativity?” I believe that every child has great potentials and innate abilities. However, not every child is given the opportunity to develop their innate abilities. Students must be constantly challenged to use their imaginations and find new areas to explore, because the idea that “creativity is reserve for an elite few,” is a myth. Every child has the potential to be creative if their curiosity and sense of adventure is fostered by both parents and teachers. Children, like sponges, absorb new information easily. As children find things that interest them, the more they to come up with new ideas. According to the article more Americans agree that “children are becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine.” Technology offers students many innovative ways to generate new ideas, and collaborate.
ReplyDeleteThe constant testings and government bureaucracies are stifling the creativity of the students in the classroom. During the testing period students spend most of their classroom hours being drilled in various subject areas. They are not allowed to think for themselves nor arrive at their own conclusions. The education system forgets that students are intellectual, social and emotional beings. They come into the classroom with a wide range of prior knowledge, skills, beliefs and ideas. They are able to reason, problem solve, acquire new knowledge and follow their interests.
Well said, I agree with everything you've exclaimed!
DeleteWell said, I agree with everything you've exclaimed!
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ReplyDeleteI think that this a very interesting debate because it questions the creative ability of Americans at school, home and in the work place. However, i think there need to be a common understanding of the word creativity. If creativity only relates to the number of people online developing their thoughts, then we are indeed loosing the creativity fight. While it is true that most people spend lots of time online, most people are not their to create anything, they are on social media. I also believe that our education system need to provide more activities to promote the students' creativity. This will strengthen problem solving skills. I think what is lacking in American schools is the hands-on physical application to creativity. Not everyone is able to mentally produce an image to their thoughts but given an opportunity to manipulate objects with their hands can be very creative and productive. The rush to complete the standardized curriculum has indeed stifled both the teacher and the students creativity. While I agree that technology has take creativity to a completely different and new level, I also believe that if everyone do not embrace the opportunity to advance with it, then creativity in America will be monopolized by the elite few.
I agree that creativity to most is an ambiguous term. Being creative isn't a normality or a type of conformity. Everyone was or is born with a creative ability.
DeleteI found this article and its statistics be very interesting. I believe that everyone has the potential to be creative, however, there are things that stop us from using our creativity to create greatness. For example, our education system stifles creativity and instead demands we focus on standardized testing for a majority of the school year. Everything is based on curriculum and testing, which leaves little room for actual learning and using creativity to do this. Instead of teaching students
ReplyDeleteabout new interesting and needed information, we're teaching how to test take. There's too much pressure on teachers and this comes as a disadvantage for students.
The article mentions that many Americans take creativity for granted, and that creating online is part of our culture. The article also states that only half of Americans are being asked to think creatively at work. I believe that teachers should especially be able to think creatively and use the creative work with students. The internet has thousands of websites which teachers can use to find creativity and practice it with their students in their classrooms. Unfortunately because of standardized testing and strict rules, our education system will continue to stifle creativity.
Yes, exactly what I stated! It's all about testing and children are not able to bloom as they should and use their creative capabilities, which in turn leads them to believe it doesn't exist.
DeleteIn the article, “Education System Stifles Creativity” by David Nagel they discuss how students creativity are not displayed in education. The surveys taken throughout this article are all opinion based so it is fair to say that the findings have not been proven. I don’t think as educators we are given the room to be creative in the classroom. Our instruction is solely based on the curriculum at hand and having students pass the standardized testing. There is little room for student’s to become creative in the classroom. There are different forms of creativity, but when do the students actually get to experience it other than during their prep period.
ReplyDeleteThe internet does allow students to be creative, but what happens when there is no access to the internet. Our students need to be encouraged to be creative in school as well as out of school. As an educator, I try to incorporate drawing, poetry, and other forms of creativity in my lessons. I find that a lot of my students love to express their creativity in different ways, and I want to help them bring out their creativity.
I would agree with TED speaker Ken Robinson that "the educational system stifles creativity by promoting uniformity and standardization". Standards and uniformity are necessary in the education system in particularly in the area of behavioral management.However, when it comes to individual academic work students should be encouraged to think out of the box.
ReplyDeleteSince children are "becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine",the onus is on teachers to integrate the use of technology in their classes. Teachers therefore need to be open to changes and be informed on the demands of the changing needs of businesses and organizations.
I welcome the proposed Creative Scholarship Program.It is a great way of encouraging creativity among students.
I thought the article had interesting statistics. It’s shocking to see that Americans believe that they have fewer opportunities to meet their full creative potential in comparison with the rest of the world. Although this article might hold true now, I do not think it will be accurate in another 10 years. Our generation as well as generations before us, were usually taught in a different way than how we teach our students now.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, I was taught to rote memorization of facts. We sat in rows, and the only use of technology we had, was basic typing and how to use an apple computer. Now students are encouraged to work collaboratively in their classrooms. We differentiate in our classrooms so that each child may learn in their own way and reach their full potential. Students are exposed to so much more technology now than ever before.
This up and coming generation, I feel will have the ability to think outside the box. I have read stories of how children have created APPS for I phones, and created products. Our children, and children’s children will use technology in ways that we can’t imagine now.
I believe everyone has limitless ability to create in their daily life, with what they see, what they hear and what they talk. As an educator, I will not limit my future students. Nowaday, children spend more and more time on the computer and internet. Sometimes, they automatically come up with how to manipulate a gadget by themselves without adults’ instruction. With all the research studies, I believe that children are learning and becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine. However, there are some factors possibly prevent students from creativity, such as financial issues, curriculum and standards. In term of financial issues, some family coming from low income may not be able to support students with computer and Internet access. Students may have less time working on a computer. In term of curriculum and standards, they keep changing in certain period of time. Teachers and students need to work together to develop learning style. Thus, there are some factors can prevent creativity. Teachers need to find resolution as time comes by.
ReplyDeleteIn the article,” Education System Stifles Creativity”, David Nagel provides the statistical comparison between the creativity level within the United States and the rest of the world .As far as educational system is concerned, I believe there is more creativity in the lower grades such as Pre-K through second grade than in the higher grade where it becomes obsolete due to curriculum and standardized testing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact mentioned in the article that the testing system in the schools don’t facilitates the students to foster their innate creative powers. The struggle to pass the standardized tests doesn’t enable the students to think outside the box. In addition, Timings is another constraint in that matter which limits the teachers to deliver their lesson plans in traditional way. Similarly at workplace, the increasing pressure to be productive holds back to be creative. The compulsion to keep uniformity and standardization by the employers allots a very few space for the employees to demonstrate their creative skills.
However, I believe the use of technology is bridging the gap. Technology is permitting the students to explore different leaning techniques and strategies. Nowadays, with the help of differentiated instructions, students are learning at their own pace and with their own learning styles. The new inquiry- based technique has changed the traditional way of learning and within the coming years there will be change in the educational system. Technology has enhanced creativity. As mentioned in the article, “Children are becoming more creative as they spend more time online creating what they imagine."
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ReplyDeleteThere is no way around it, the pressures that standardize puts on teachers and students definitely stifle creativity. I remember have science day and history day. We would create our own gadgets and skits out of simple things for around the classroom and house. I’m sure everyone remembers making picture roll slash TV out of a shoe box and paper towel tubes. How about art and just creating whatever was on your mind or what you were feeling. Before standardize testing became such a big deal there use to be a lot of room for creativity. Now we forced to teach reading in the morning and math in the afternoon, and science and social studies if we have time. The teachers and students are both becoming zombies. I see teachers teaching directly from their math and reading book verbatim; they look bored and the students look bored. There is no room for creativity. If the students are really good they can get ten minutes on the computers and that is before they clear away the papers and folders covering them. The computer is thought of as a treat, reward or luxury.
ReplyDeleteChildren love to create; they love to discover things on their own. When they discover something for the first time, their eyes pop open and they become very excited. The article is right many jobs do not give you the opportunity to be creative. You never stop learning; teachers need time to create and share those creations with their students, to open their minds to the possibilities. The sad part is now they have technology that will enhance and strengthen those creative ideas and they either don’t have access to or they don’t have time to get to it. There has to be a better way.
Donald
ReplyDeleteThis article is a sad reality about an educational system both here and abroad that has promoted knowledge to be sequential and linear. This education philosophy is rigid and stifles natural human creativity, the survey in the article shows. The article says that education that is founded in uniformity and standardization will promote conformity over creativity. I feel that is exactly the situation we face now in outer education system where students are yearning for technology they grew up with to be part and parcel of the way they are educated.
The call to arms for technology integration by our young learners is a fight not worth having as it stifles growth, innovation, and creativity. Schools and businesses that have cultures of promoting creativity through technology are experiences unprecedented success. Google, Microsoft, and, Apple easily come to mind. In order to do our little part in promoting creativity through technology. I am planning to use my new found knowledge of wikispace and other technological tools to promote creativity.
As an educator, I agree that the education system stifles creativity to an extent in the United States of America. All students need to be given the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas freely. Everyone should be given an equal opportunity to show off their talents because we are all given special talents.
ReplyDeleteThe education system needs to implement more activities into the school curriculum that will motivate students to express their talents in various ways. Implementing these activities will provide competitions among students which will bring out their creativity in thoughts and actions thus building their self-confidence and self-esteem. This will enable them to be proud citizens of the United States of America.
With children being born into a world surrounded by technology it is hard to imagine they are not being more creative then say 50 years ago when people where much more closed minded. To measure ones level of creativity I feel is impossible, because where one child my build a house another may compose the 9th symphony; both are creative with one being architecture and the other music; both are considered art. When looking at the education system it is true that SAT’s may be taking away from the student’s creativity but what other way is there to judge ones level of education. Using programs like Photoshop, Adobe, and Dreamweaver would most defiantly spark a surge of creativity among young students. But who would be teaching them to use these programs. Most teachers that have been on the job for so long are still struggling when using a smart board. Some teachers forget they are students too and have to learn to use the new technology so they can utilize it in the class room and have the children’s creativity flowing freely.
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