How to escape education's death valley | Sir Ken Robinson | TED

Summary

The speaker, having moved to America 12 years prior, humorously addresses the myth that Americans don't understand irony, using the 'No Child Left Behind' legislation as an example of irony in action. He criticizes the legislation for leaving many children behind and discusses the dropout crisis's significant economic impact. The speaker emphasizes the importance of a broad curriculum that celebrates diversity and creativity, not just STEM subjects. He argues against the current educational culture's focus on compliance and testing over curiosity and learning. Drawing on Finland's education system as a successful model, he advocates for individualized teaching, high status for teachers, and decentralized responsibility. The speaker calls for a shift from a mechanistic view of education to recognizing it as a human system that thrives under the right cultural conditions, urging for a revolution in educational policy and practice.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker humorously challenges the myth that Americans don't understand irony, using the 'No Child Left Behind' legislation as an example of irony in action.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Human beings are naturally diverse, and the current educational system, particularly under 'No Child Left Behind', promotes conformity over diversity.
• 🧠 The importance of a broad curriculum that includes arts, humanities, and physical education, not just STEM subjects, for a well-rounded education.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the high rates of ADHD diagnoses among children, suggesting that boredom and disengagement from the current educational system may be a factor.
• 🌟 Creativity is a fundamental aspect of human life, and the educational system should foster and develop this creativity rather than suppress it.
• 👩‍🏫 Teachers are the heart of the educational system, and their role is not just to deliver information but to mentor, stimulate, and engage students.
• 📚 The current educational culture has shifted the focus from teaching and learning to testing, which should be diagnostic and supportive rather than dominant.
• 🌐 High-performing education systems, like Finland's, individualize teaching and learning, attribute high status to the teaching profession, and devolve responsibility to the school level.
• 🌱 The speaker uses the metaphor of Death Valley to illustrate that under the right conditions, even in the most unlikely places, growth and flourishing can occur.
• 💡 Leadership in education should focus on creating a climate of possibility, which allows for innovation and creativity to thrive.
• 🌟 The speaker calls for a revolution in education, encouraging a movement towards humanizing the system and recognizing the unique needs and stories of each student.

Q & A

Why did the speaker move to America 12 years ago?

The speaker moved to America 12 years ago with his wife Terry and their two kids, although he humorously notes that they initially moved to Los Angeles, thinking it was the same as moving to America.

What is the speaker's opinion on the idea that 'Americans don't get irony'?

The speaker disagrees with the idea that Americans don't get irony. He has found no evidence to support this claim during his travels across the country.

What legislation did the speaker mention that he believes demonstrates Americans' understanding of irony?

The speaker mentioned the 'No Child Left Behind' legislation as an example of irony, suggesting that the title is ironic given that the policy leaves millions of children behind.

What is the economic impact if the high school dropout rate in Native American communities is halved?

The speaker suggests that halving the dropout rate in Native American communities could result in a net gain to the U.S. economy of nearly a trillion dollars over 10 years.

Why does the speaker argue that the current education system is not spending money in the right way?

The speaker believes that despite spending more money on education and having smaller class sizes, the focus is in the wrong direction. He criticizes the 'No Child Left Behind' policy for promoting conformity over diversity and focusing too narrowly on STEM subjects.

What are the three principles the speaker identifies as essential for human life to flourish?

The three principles identified by the speaker are: 1) human beings are naturally different and diverse, 2) curiosity drives human life and learning, and 3) human life is inherently creative.

Why does the speaker say that standardized testing should not dominate education?

The speaker argues that while standardized testing is important, it should be diagnostic and supportive of learning, not an obstacle. He suggests that the current culture of compliance and focus on testing stifles curiosity and creativity.

What is the speaker's view on the role of teachers in the education system?

The speaker views teachers as the lifeblood of successful schools. He emphasizes that teaching is a creative profession that involves mentoring, stimulating, and engaging students, rather than simply delivering information.

How does the speaker describe the Finnish education system?

The speaker describes the Finnish education system as one that does not obsess over standardized testing, has a broad approach to education that includes humanities and arts, and provides quick support to students in trouble to prevent dropouts.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the current mechanistic view of education?

The speaker suggests embracing a human system view of education, where teaching and learning are individualized, teachers are given high status and continuous professional development, and responsibility is devolved to the school level.

Why does the speaker compare the potential of schools to the phenomenon of flowers blooming in Death Valley?

The speaker uses the Death Valley analogy to illustrate that, like the dormant seeds beneath the surface, schools have the potential to thrive and come to life when given the right conditions, such as a supportive culture, opportunities, and the freedom to be creative.

What is the speaker's call to action for improving the education system?

The speaker calls for a revolution in education, encouraging a movement towards creating a climate of possibility where teachers and students are valued, relationships are cherished, and there is a focus on individualized learning and professional development.