Idealistic criticism of the school by Ken Robinson. From a mechanistic model to an agro-cultural model

An expert in the field of education, a popularizer of the idea of \u200b\u200bchanging the educational paradigm, believes that the roots of this problem should be sought in the past - in the middle of the XVIII century, when the idea of \u200b\u200bgeneral education was born.

If you look at a typical school curriculum, then at its core we will see disciplines that are useful from an economic point of view - mathematics, science. That is, everything that, according to the generally accepted opinion, can be useful in life. All other disciplines related to creativity are studied optionally or not studied at all, because, from an economic point of view, they are completely useless. But why is the economy still at the forefront, although no one really knows what the economic situation will be like even by the end of this week?

Divergent thinking is a method of creative thinking that is usually used to solve problems and tasks. It consists in finding many solutions to the same problem.

The current model of education originated in the heyday of the industrial revolution. Therefore, schools were created according to the type of factories: the bell - the lesson begins, the bell - the lesson is over, the features of the children do not matter, they are sorted by the “production date”. Standardization - that was the basis of such a system of education, which has been preserved in the same form to this day.

Only now is there an understanding that the industrial approach to education is somewhat outdated. What to go into the future based on the experience of the 19th century is at least impractical. And one of the worrisome symptoms is a disorder called attention deficit disorder. Children grow up in an oversaturated environment, in the era of television, the Internet, and iPhones. And what do adults want from them? To squeeze into the framework of traditional education and direct their attention to those things that seem boring to them.

Recall the fifties, when it was customary for children to remove tonsils. This was done with the same ease with which schoolchildren are now prescribed serious medicines that suppress feelings and emotions, and are immersed in sleep in order to focus attention on “useful things”. And this, instead of waking them up, so that they look at themselves and understand who they really are and what they want.

In his book The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, Ken Robinson describes the stories of people who have achieved success through passion and enthusiasm: from Paul McCartney and Matt Groening to Arianna Huffington and Richard Feynmann. Buy, 550 r.

ADD is, if not a myth, then at least a highly hyped story. Since trying to follow the obsolete methodology of education, where the practical mind predominates, society forgets about another method of perceiving the world - the sensory one, when a person feels here and now, when his feelings work to the limit and he has genuine interest in the subjects studied, from immersion in present, from life itself. We must train creativity just as we train literacy.

Some time ago, a remarkable work appeared on divergent thinking. Some people confuse it with creativity, but it's not the same thing. Divergent thinking is an indisputable component of creative thinking. But its essence lies in the ability to see a huge number of solutions to one problem. In a large number of interpretations of one question.

If you ask people a question about how to use a paper clip, most will give 15-20 options. Only a few will reach 200, asking clarifying questions such as whether a paperclip can reach a height of 200 feet and be rubber? The more questions, the higher the level of divergent thinking.

What is the basis of such thinking? Imagination. An idea of \u200b\u200bwhat is not, but what could be. It is the imagination that significantly distinguishes us from other living creatures. Many living things sing - but they do not create beautiful operas. Other creatures run around - but they don't organize the Olympics.

Tests were conducted among children of different ages, which showed that the older the child, the lower the level of his divergence. From 98 percent in preschoolers, it drops to 10 percent in adolescents, and then continues to decline. In people over 25 years old, it is already about 2%. It turns out that the priceless gift given to us by nature is wasted over the years. But in our arsenal we have the experience of passing exams, completing tests, a set of classical knowledge - what is called education.

I like to tell one story - about a girl in a drawing lesson. The teacher went up to her and asked: "What are you drawing?" She replied: "I draw God." “But no one knows what God looks like,” the teacher objected and heard the answer: “After 10 minutes they will find out.”

Initially, children are not afraid to make a mistake. Of course, I do not want to say that constantly making mistakes is the same as being a creative person, no. But I am sure that if people are not ready for the fact that it is possible and necessary to make mistakes, they will never create anything new and original. As children grow older, they lose their priceless divergence because teachers inspire them with fear of error.

Sir Ken Robinson is one of the leading experts in the field of human capital development, the scope of his research: creative thinking, education and innovation. He advised the governments of the United States, Europe and Asia, worked with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and international cultural organizations.

Teachers, as a rule, say that there is the only right answer to the question. And it is forbidden to peep at a neighbor - because it is a hoax. Although in the adult world this is called a collaboration. We are taught to think alone, while great discoveries are made in cooperation with other enthusiastic people. And such cooperation leads to growth, to progress.

Another problem of education is that due to standardization, the individual inclinations of children to different subjects, developmental features, and cultural background are no longer taken into account.

Now we should not only move away from the industrial approach to education, but also cease to perceive human communities as mechanisms that require only coordinated work. A community of people is much more like an organism full of vital energy. It remains only to make a choice: whether to continue to suppress this energy with the help of drugs - or give it a way out.

Picasso believed that all children are born as artists - the only problem is to remain an artist by the time you become an adult. I believe that our only hope for the future is to adopt a new concept of human ecology. One in which we would rethink the concept of the wealth of human abilities. The existing educational system devastates our mind in the same way as we devastate the bowels of the planet - with specific goals. Such an approach is an approach without a future. We need to rethink the basic principles of teaching our children.

Jonas Salk once said: “If all insects disappear from the face of the Earth, after 50 years, life will cease. If all people disappear, in 50 years all life forms on Earth will flourish. ” He is right: and the only way out is to appreciate the diversity of our creative abilities.

Sir Ken Robinson (March 4, 1950) is one of the leading experts in the field of human capital development, the scope of his research is creative thinking, education and innovation. He advised the governments of the United States, Europe and Asia, worked with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and international cultural organizations.

In 1998, he chaired the UK National Commission on Creativity, Education and Economics, and his report, “All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education,” was released to the general public. He played a leading role in developing a strategy for creative and economic development as part of the Northern Ireland peace process, working closely with ministers of education and culture.

Sir Robinson was one of four international advisers recruited by the Singapore government to realize the intention to become the creative center of Southeast Asia. In 1998, Ken Robinson headed the National Commission for Creativity, Education, and Economics on the UK Government Committee. For outstanding achievements in public service, in 2003, Queen Elizabeth II brought Ken Robinson to the Knights.

Books (2)

  Vocation. How to find what you are created for and live in your element

A vocation is a meeting of abilities and passion. Simply put, when the “thing that I really like” and the “thing that works great” coincide. But this word, alas, causes irritation for most of us, not least due to the efforts of the educational system. We are losing a lot. “Choose a business to your liking, and you will not have to work a day,” Confucius taught.

Gaining a vocation is a source of a feeling of fullness of life and spiritual harmony, as well as a guarantee of productive and efficient work, that is, a valuable asset not only for you, but also for your loved ones, your employer, your clients. The author - a leading expert in the field of creative thinking, education and innovation - gives evidence from life and tells how to do it.

The book is addressed to everyone who would like to feel the happiness of self-realization.

  School of the future. How to raise a talented child

The book outlines not only theoretical issues of education and training.

The practical steps proposed in it will allow you to become better teachers and parents and help children find their calling. The author talks about how to improve life in general, and not just the education system.

Reader Comments

natalya / February 25, 2016 R.S. to my previous comment and La Tube answer
  Ken Robinson has nothing to do with the Nassim Taleb you mentioned, and even more so doesn’t “mow” as you deign to write. Absolutely superficial judgment, I'm sorry ... here he (Ken) analyzes education and its subsequent impact on our life, and Nassima about stock markets and profits or how to become rich. And Ken is trying to teach how to become happy. Wealth and happiness are not always the same.

Natalya  / February 25, 2016 A great book and a great video with Ken Robinson. And who says differently means he didn’t understand the essence. I’ll answer “La Trube”. So he don’t leave everything and do what you want. He’s talking about IF initially change the education system and teach and educate our children in it, the percentage of people who are happy and satisfied with their lives will be initially high! And about those people who abandoned everything and still remained losers. I will say on my own behalf, the motivation was weak, or not completely formed their desire "So what I want to finally deal with and why? "

La Tube  / 12.24.2015 Dude, along the way, mows under Nassim Taleb. Approximately the same ideas: nonlinearity, reasoning about education, etc. But unlike Taleb, he makes a critical mistake that Taleb would never have made: he gives only examples of successful careers that confirm his theory. Here is a female billiard player who went her own way and became happy, etc., etc. But what about those millions of people who tried to live their own way and achieved nothing and remained losers for life, or even died? Why not honestly say that the linear model, although it does not give satisfaction, but also protects against risk. And that everything really important in a person’s life that allows him to grow above himself is fraught with risk. And risk is, by definition, the possibility of failure.

Vital  / 02/03/2014 interesting, ideas about education really need to change not only the system itself, but the teacher himself

Valery  / 01/26/2014 this book sounds completely different in the original (in English, true)

Sergius  / 12.24.2013 Well, if "Ken Robinson - education kills creativity" - then it is URGENTLY necessary to close ALL schools, institutes, academies ... In the USA !!! ;) and then...
  maybe they still stop: to bomb, rattle weapons, threaten ...

Tatyana 12/23/2013 A good book. He develops his thoughts more deeply in Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative, unfortunately, not yet translated. Also noteworthy are the performances at TEDTalks.

Ambercat  / 7.11.2013 Today, 5 people found it useful, 1 - useless. Do you think that today, if it helps to change life (in one way or another), only 1 percent of all who read it (and I think there will be more of them, if only because if a person reads this, he already wants to change, there’s just a little push) if it makes sense to read it to all 100 percent?
  And, it was recalled: people like living crayfish in a bucket - those who can not get out pull down those who start to turn out.
  To your advice, I would answer this way: do not listen to the tips :)
  I downloaded the book (I haven’t read it yet) and I liked his video on YouTube (called "Ken Robinson - education kills creativity")

Nastya  / August 30, 2013 Regarding the fact that there are no practical recommendations in it, they probably looked poorly. The main one is at least in motivation for the garnonical development of people.)
  The book is wonderful, it will not be superfluous for everyone.

Today  / 24.07.2012 Already, I don’t know what all the previous reviewers found in this book !? Why waste time reading poorly analyzed entertaining stories for kindergarten. It is clear that if a person draws well, he can become an artist, with good hearing - a musician; etc. There are zero recommendations in the book, do not waste time.

Katerina  / June 27, 2012 A wonderful book, I am delighted. At first it seemed that the topic was poorly disclosed in the book, but then all the same I got to the bottom. Thank you so much Robinson Ken for a great book. I am sure that it will correctly affect the state of mind and body.
  THANKS!!!

a guest  / February 27, 2012 a great book, I think with its help I will give up the work that I work at ... to work so that I enjoy every day ...

After reading this book, I believe that it is possible.

Of the minuses of the book, I would call a lot of theory, which is actually not new ...

[email protected]  / 11/13/2011 I love this portal! Thank you very much to the creators of the site!

Helena  04/20/2010 The book is excellent. I’m reading it now. She encourages you to change your life for the better. It helps to overcome all fears and finally do what the man is created for. For example, my calling is painting! Now I am determined to delve into my element :))

Which of us does not want to find our calling, element, passion? The author promises to help with the search. But if you are hoping to find a simple step-by-step recipe, they are forced to upset you. It is not that simple! It turns out that we perceive ourselves not as we should. We forgot about one of the most important components of our life, our personality. We forgot about creativity. In schools, creativity is given the last place, and therefore few of us know what talents we possess. And the fact that we possess them is undoubted.

So what to do? And here's what - to develop creative abilities. To do this, it is not necessary to wrap your neck with a colored scarf and grasp the brush (but if you are drawn, be sure to give in to the desire!). Each area of \u200b\u200bour life is somehow connected with creativity. Even science. Last but not least! Mathematics, physics, biology - everything is connected with creativity. You need to find this vein in yourself, and with it an understanding will come of what you really want from life.

The book abounds with success stories. The heart begins to beat faster when you read about how people find their favorite business and follow the path of their happiness. These stories are truly inspiring. It turns out that it is not necessary to shine at school in order to be talented. And it's never too late to find your element! In a word, dream, seek, create - and you will receive from life what you deserve - complete satisfaction. Find your self, be held as a person, benefit the world and society!

The book pushed me to search for its element. If you also want to find it - this book will definitely not be superfluous to you.

One of the most famous specialists in the world in the field of human creativity. He advised the governments of many countries and the management of many private companies on how to properly manage human resources. The basic idea of \u200b\u200bKen Robinson is that we all have some talents, but the modern education system and the general structure of society suppress their development. He devotes a lot of his books and speeches precisely to what and how we need to change in our educational system so as not to do so.

Robinson’s books in Russian are published by Mann, Ivanov and Ferber. Let's talk about a book with a rather loud title “Calling”.

The subtitle of the book reads: "How to find what you are created for and live in your element." Element is the key word around which the whole book is built, what Ken Robinson puts at the heart of his whole idea. The element is a place where what we love and what we do well merge together. And from this merger something else is born - a full and interesting life in which even work is not perceived as work.

You have probably heard that in psychology there is the concept of flow (thanks to the psychologist Mihai Chiksentmihaii for it) - a condition that is characterized by the full involvement of a person in what he does, full focus and focus on success. This streaming state gives you a very special inner feeling: you are doing everything well, all your decisions are correct, your actions are effective, your words are accurate, and your thoughts are clear and clear. This is a state of crystal transparency of consciousness and high efficiency of actions, a state of extraordinary actions and good intellectual indicators. When you are in a stream, your activity brings you pleasure. And, according to Ken Robinson, you will remain in the stream when you find your element in life. In fact, when you find your calling.

But how many of us can boast so? Not. And one of the reasons for this is the modern education system. Ken Robinson says a lot about the fact that almost all first-graders have creative abilities. But among high school students such a minority.

One little girl was sitting at a drawing lesson and was drawing something intently. Usually the girl did not pay attention to the lessons, but here she was very passionate. The teacher became interested in what she was doing, came up and asked what she was painting. The girl said: "I draw God." “But no one knows what God looks like,” exclaimed the teacher. “They will find out soon,” the girl answered.

What is happening to them? Do they develop critical thinking skills? Maybe. But it is more likely that the existing educational system does not allow them to develop. And that which does not develop quickly perishes.

During education in the system, people lose confidence in their abilities.

Modern society encourages only very specific skills and some traditional ways of development. If a person does not fit into them, then this is a human problem.

What a book is surprisingly good is stories. Behind each of them is a living person, with his own, most often very difficult fate. These are the stories of people who managed to find their way and overcome the restrictions imposed, including by the modern education system. Such stories do not seem to have any practical value, but they are able to motivate and inspire people to further search and further development.

Ken Robinson suggests taking a fresh look at people's abilities, expanding our understanding of what is truly our abilities, and thinking about what we need to develop. After all, we must strive to emphasize the individuality of each person, while our society and our educational system are going in exactly the opposite direction: to achieve some common universal standards and some faceless community.

The book is full of stories about children who did not fit into accepted standards and which could be irretrievably lost to society if they continued to demand compliance with general rules and someone’s ideas (or, even worse, they would treat what was perceived as deviation from the norm), but who really just had other talents, talents that they simply don’t notice in ordinary schools.

Without exception, all education systems are currently at the reform stage. But this is not enough. The reform is already useless, because it is designed to improve the idle model. We need ... and this word has been used many times at this conference, we need not evolution, but a revolution in education. It must be transformed into something new.

One of the leitmotifs of the book is the question of why our education system has become exactly the way it is now, as well as what we must do to change it. Ken Robinson says a lot about the fact that the system that is now is well suited for creating a cog-man in a large machine, but not for creating a separate creative individual with his own characteristics and his own opinion.

We will not mix politics here and talk about how beneficial the state is to this or that type of person’s personality (Ken Robinson, for example, believes that the state would be more profitable if the whole people were creative and creative, but it seems to me that the existing system and ongoing reforms clearly say: the state thinks differently). Let us look at this approach from the point of view of a person, from the point of view of teachers and parents. Yes, to teach and be a parent of a person with his own opinion is much more difficult (although much more interesting).

But what fate would we like for children? The fate of a screw or the fate of a person?

And if we choose the second option, it means that we must make some efforts, because such a fate in itself will not arise in the circumstances.

The important thing is that the book not only motivates people to think about their own path and their own vocation, but also about how to help other people to develop and find them in themselves, for example, your students. This book may be useful to those school teachers (but not only to them!) Who believe that the school should help children to develop and develop their best qualities, and not just sit there, gaining knowledge and skills that maybe never will in life will not come in handy.

Children are different. And you cannot teach them all the same. It is impossible to demand from a talented musician or dancer the same as from a person prone to mathematics and physics. We need to look for an individual approach and develop those talents and inclinations that children have, and not those that we want to see them.

Of course, they may object to us that approaching each in our own, unique way is very difficult. Difficult? May be. But not so long ago, only in the 19th century, a single system of general secondary education did not exist. Education was considered the privilege of the wealthy and (sometimes) the smartest. Then it was also believed that it was very difficult to teach everyone. But we coped with this task - the time has come to set ourselves the following.

Can creativity be developed? Or is it available only to the elite? Well-known specialist in the field of human development, Sir Ken Robinson, has found answers to these questions. For a long time, he led the UK government commission on creativity and education. He was an international adviser in Singapore, where he dealt with the same issues. The observations, research, advice of Sir Robinson became available to the general public. In numerous works, he shares his experience and advice.

Who is Ken Robinson?

His work is creativity: how to educate, develop and materialize. Sir Robinson is sure that too many have no idea of \u200b\u200btheir true talent and vocation. He dispels the popular myth that creativity is the destiny of the elect. Conversations of Sir Robinson with world famous businessmen, government leaders and teachers confirm that creativity can be developed consciously and systematically.

Ken's childhood passed in Liverpool, in a house filled with noise and laughter. The front door was only a hundred yards from Everton Football Club. The family dreamed that he would become a world football star. This was not destined to come true - at the age of four Ken got sick with polio. The recovery lasted seven months, the parents helped the child develop traditional skills and abilities. A healthy child in one night became almost paralyzed. That was not easy. But they overcame difficulties, and Ken discovered a whole world of amazing opportunities.

The first of six brothers and sisters, he received secondary education at one of Liverpool's best schools. Education fundamentally changed his life. “If the teacher did not see in me what I did not notice, my life could go in a completely different direction,” says Ken Robinson. He studied English and drama at Bretton Hall College, then - drama and theater in the field of education at the University of London.

What are his achievements?

Sir Robinson was the director of the Art in Schools project, over which over two thousand teachers and specialists in the field of art worked. Over three years, more than three hundred initiatives have been developed and included in the British National Curriculum. At the same time, Robinson was a consultant to the Hong Kong Academy of Arts. For twelve years he was a professor of education at the University of Warwick. Now Sir Robinson is Professor Emeritus:

• Birmingham City University;
• Rhode Island School of Design;
• Ringling College of Fine Arts and Design;
• Royal Central School of Stage Speech and Dramatic Art;
• Open University (OU);
• Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.

Ken Robinson led the UK Commission on Creativity, Education, and Economics in 1998. His report “All Our Future” was presented to the general public and received recognition. The Times said: "The report raises important issues facing business in the 21st century." Robinson is the author of Strategy and Economic Development in Northern Ireland. The result of this work is the “Free Creativity” program, endorsed by politicians and leaders in the fields of business, education and culture. Sir Ken's activities have been honored with many awards:

• for education services from the Athens Rhode Island School of Design Award;
• for his contribution to the arts and culture of the United States with the Peabody Medal;
• for international achievements in the field of education with the LEGO award;
• for his outstanding contribution to cultural relations between the United Kingdom and the United States by the Benjamin Franklin Royal Society of the Arts Medal;
• from the Arthur Clark Foundation awarded the Imagination Award;
• for outstanding services in the field of art and education, Queen Elizabeth II knighted him.

As a professor of education, Robinson knows how the academic and organizational culture of education can stifle creativity and fundamentally ignore the natural talents and passions of people, making it difficult to find his calling. Ken Robinson calls on leaders, managers, and educators to start a creative revolution to reap the benefits.

What is working on?

Robinson believes that the current education system promotes standardization rather than creative learning. He emphasizes that success can only be achieved by realizing that education is an organic system, not a mechanical one. A successful school is the creation of a favorable climate, not management and control. To succeed, you need to develop in three areas:

1. Offer a broad curriculum and encourage personalization of the learning process.
2. Promote curiosity through creative learning.
3. Awaken creativity with the help of didactic processes, paying less attention to standardized testing.

Robinson is confident that by focusing on the development of certain skills, giving the palm to individual subjects and establishing strictly regulated assessment methods, schools thereby put pressure on children and inhibit the development of important abilities. To help children find their place in the 21st century, in a world where the demands are higher, the rhythm is faster, you need to get rid of the inertness of thinking and develop natural abilities.

What does it offer?

Ken Robinson in a fairly short time became the most famous and discussed speaker in the history of the prestigious TED conference. It encourages people to revise outdated assumptions about intelligence and creativity and unleash real potential. Robinson's style of conversation, vivid examples, humor and the content of his lectures attract more and more listeners. In 2017, more than 50 million people watched them.

In one of the presentations, he talks about the need for "systemic innovation", debunking the myths that many organizations support. Robinson presents a three-tier strategy for creating “systemic innovation” in the organization and talks about the role of creative leaders in this process.

What is needed to achieve personal success and feeling in one's place? Robinson answers this question in the second presentation, where he explains that personal success stimulates not only natural talent, but rather a subtle interaction between talent, passion, attitude and opportunity. This allows people to achieve the highest level of success and lead a purposeful, meaningful life. Robinson explains in detail how to find a calling, tells why neither age nor profession are an obstacle.

Are all creative people or just the chosen ones? Why do many adults think they are not creative? Can creativity be developed? What changes are needed in schools? The third conference addresses the answers to these questions. Here Robinson explains in detail why changes are needed in the educational system and what parents, teachers, and politicians should do.

Sir Ken, as a respected adviser to governments in Europe, Asia, and the United States, in this powerful presentation, argues that many countries are heading in the wrong direction in education. Robinson talks about what can happen in our lives when passion and talent gather. He gives personal stories from the lives of famous people, including Sir Paul McCartney, Arianna Huffington, Matt Graining, Meg Ryan and the famous physicist Richard Feynman. He describes many of these stories in detail in his highly praised books: Calling, Education Against Talent, Find Your Calling, School of the Future.

What are his books about?

In the book “Calling,” Ken Robinson, using examples from the lives of famous people, explains that each person has great natural abilities. And the more he is in contact with the outside world, the faster he loses them. And one of the main reasons, paradoxically as it sounds, is education. Too many people never reveal their talents, which means only one thing - they don’t know what they can achieve. They do not know who they really are, and for the most part they are not engaged in what is close to them and gives joy. They do not enjoy life to the fullest, but kill time in anticipation of the weekend.

As the current educational system harms schools and students, the reader will learn from the book “School of the Future”. Ken Robinson details that many school reforms are motivated by commercial and political interests. As a result, they worsen the prospects of young people. Late or early, negatively or positively, but it will affect the people around you. Understanding reform is important. Many schools are already working in new ways, offering children an individualized, oriented education. There are entire districts and nationwide systems that are moving in a new direction.

Finding a calling is necessary. And this process is purely personal and often full of surprises. Each person has different starting conditions and abilities. And each has his own vocation. There are principles that apply to everyone, there are universal strategies and techniques that suit everyone. The book "Find your calling" is a ready-made guide, a roadmap on the way to search. The book has a lot of tips, ideas, rules and techniques. The author gives stories of real people who have found a vocation and live a full life. Each chapter offers exercises to better understand yourself.

Each person has a unique ability to create. The main thing is to realize your creative potential, to find a calling. Education does not fully cope with this task. And most people live their lives, not just not revealing talent, but not even realizing it. Many have the opinion that talent is only for the elite. In fact, each person has his own creative potential. It is important to realize the reasons that make us doubt this. In Education Against Talent, Sir Ken offers creative and original ideas. Describes in detail the conditions conducive to personality development.

Should I read Ken Robinson’s books?

Books are intended for anyone who wants to make creativity an integral part of their lives. Everyone who wants to find a calling and live life creatively will find in Robinson's books a lot of useful things for themselves. Given the experience, the merits of the author and the fact that his ideas are already working, and at the national level, you can be sure that the proposed rules and techniques will bring results. Robinson's books are one of the few that can be recommended to every person.

They will be useful to teachers and university professors, students and pupils, parents and educators, politicians and managers. To everyone who wants and knows that he could do more in life.