In the video Changing Education Paradigms by Sir Kevin Robinson, the topic of education is discussed and possible flaws within the system. First and foremost, public education was designed and created in the 19th century out of the industrial revolution. Schools are still built like factories, where students are told what to do by a bell, where students line up to use facilities and other factory like behaviors. Schools were designed with this notion that there are smart and not smart people. However, education marginalizes many people who should be considered smart but are not due to the parameters in which school is defined. Because of these facts, I believe school systems need to be redesigned. I never understood why schools have bells. It was always such a weird concept that a loud noise dictated my day. I feel as though teaching students how to tell time is a more effective way of having students learn how to be responsible and on time.
As educators, we need to understand that what is typically traditional is not always the most effective method. Sir Kevin Robinson discusses the epidemic of ADHD and how it is a fictitious epidemic. Although I believe there are students out there who do suffer from ADHD, I believe a lot of students who receive this diagnosis are just products of the current education system. Most fifth graders spend 90% of their time working at their desk either quietly or individually. This fact does not promote creativity. In fact, it promotes hyperactivity, since students are not able to receive input from their physical environment. Neil deGrasse Tyson says that from the day children are curious, we try to stifle them. In school most students learn the following phrases: be quiet, stop playing, stop running, and stop talking. These phrases tell students not to be creative, not to explore and not to be collaborative. I think with a redesign of education, we may see a decrease in the number of ADHD students.
The last topic that Sir Kevin discusses is the idea of divergent thinking. Divergent thinking allows for multiple right answers. However, this ability decreases as students move through the education system. I believe if we want students to be prepared for the 21st century, we need to develop and encourage divergent thinking. CEO’s have requested that their future employees have the ability to problem solve and to have creative solutions. To ensure that students are prepared for this workforce needs, students will have to be experts at divergent thinking.
As educators, we need to understand that what is typically traditional is not always the most effective method. Sir Kevin Robinson discusses the epidemic of ADHD and how it is a fictitious epidemic. Although I believe there are students out there who do suffer from ADHD, I believe a lot of students who receive this diagnosis are just products of the current education system. Most fifth graders spend 90% of their time working at their desk either quietly or individually. This fact does not promote creativity. In fact, it promotes hyperactivity, since students are not able to receive input from their physical environment. Neil deGrasse Tyson says that from the day children are curious, we try to stifle them. In school most students learn the following phrases: be quiet, stop playing, stop running, and stop talking. These phrases tell students not to be creative, not to explore and not to be collaborative. I think with a redesign of education, we may see a decrease in the number of ADHD students.
The last topic that Sir Kevin discusses is the idea of divergent thinking. Divergent thinking allows for multiple right answers. However, this ability decreases as students move through the education system. I believe if we want students to be prepared for the 21st century, we need to develop and encourage divergent thinking. CEO’s have requested that their future employees have the ability to problem solve and to have creative solutions. To ensure that students are prepared for this workforce needs, students will have to be experts at divergent thinking.