School and creativity

How to Promote the Arts, Schools, and Teachers? Sir Kenneth Robinson's Analysis

Sir Kenneth Robinson (1950-2020) is a global authority on education, creativity, and innovation. His TED Talks and books have influenced millions of people by challenging the traditional education system. According to him, school, as it exists today, hinders creativity rather than fosters it. A look back at his key ideas.

A formatted education that curbs imagination

In his famous speech “School Kills Creativity!” ( video ), Kenneth Robinson explains that children are born with immense creative potential, but the standardized school system teaches them to repress it.

He describes how current education is designed according to an industrial model, valuing memorization and conformity over innovation and divergent thinking. According to him, school teaches children to fear making mistakes, even though failure is an essential component of the creative process.

A system to be reinvented

In “Revolutionize Education!” ( video ), Robinson proposes to reform education by valuing individual talents and encouraging more flexible learning methods adapted to each child. Rather than classifying subjects according to a strict hierarchy (math and science at the top, arts at the bottom), he advocates a more balanced model, in which music, dance, drama, and visual arts play a central role.

How to overcome absenteeism and academic failure?

In another lecture titled “How to Escape the Valley of Education Death” ( video ), he emphasizes the need for a stimulating environment that fosters exploration and self-expression.

The solutions it offers include:

• Teaching adapted to the diversity of talents.

• A valorization of creative skills as much as academic skills.

• Greater autonomy given to teachers to innovate in their teaching methods.

Towards a more creative education

Kenneth Robinson's main idea is clear: if we want to prepare children for a constantly changing world, we must stop imposing a rigid and outdated model on them. Creativity and critical thinking must be placed at the center of the education system.

By rethinking education and valuing the diversity of intelligences, we can offer children an education adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.

To go further, watch his interventions:

• “ How to Value School, the Arts, Children, Teachers. ” 18 minutes

• “ Discover your hidden talents ” 4 minutes

• “Revolutionize education!” 19 minutes

• “ How to develop imagination? 19 minutes

If you are passionate about creativity and its role in learning, these conferences are a must-see.