Technology Self Assessment: School 2.0

            I watched a lecture presented by Ken Robinson about how the current education system kills creativity in young minds. Mr. Robinson spoke about the history of the public education system. He said that it has only existed since the beginning of the nineteenth century and was created to meet the needs of industrialism. This is the reason for the priority of useful skills such as math and science as opposed to creative subjects like art and dance. As Robinson said, there is a similar hierarchy of subjects throughout the world; language/math, humanities and then art. Therefore, the current education system’s idea of true intelligence is based on academic ability over creative skill. The main idea of his lecture is that we should rethink intelligence because the future is rapidly changing and none of us know where the world is headed. He used the metaphor about the education system as a mine that is stripping children of creativity, which is a natural resource that we all possess.

           

            I learned a lot from this lecture. Ken Robinson brought up many great points about the future. In the past ten years, there have been rapid changes in technology. Imagine the advancement in ten more years! I think it is very true that the education system has deprived many people from their creative freedom. With the current economic climate, most schools are being forced to eliminate the arts altogether. High stakes testing is based strictly on academic intellect. Like Robinson, I believe that exposure to many different types of learning, especially interactive learning, will be key in the positive future for the world. And I think utilizing technology in the classroom will help facilitate creative thinking.    

I chose the NETS 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity because I think technology is one of the best tools in inciting creative thinking. The module also talks about engaging students in clarifying their own thinking and addressing the real-world. In addition, the first question talks about utilizing technology to help "develop innovative products and processes". I believe that this point is key in the future of the world. If there are no creative or innovative thinkers, where will we be in thirty years? 

NETS-T 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity