Speaker expresses amazement at the conference and the themes discussed.
Key themes he wants to talk about:
Extraordinary evidence of human creativity.
Uncertainty about the future.
Extraordinary capacities of children.
Interest in Education
Education is a topic everyone is interested in, despite its perceived dullness.
Education is crucial for preparing children for an unpredictable future.
Children starting school this year will retire in 2065, highlighting the unpredictability of the world.
Importance of Creativity in Education
Creativity is as vital as literacy and should be given equal importance in education.
Children have immense potential, but their talents are often squandered.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity in children.
Anecdotes to Illustrate Points
Story of a Girl Drawing: A young girl asserts that she is drawing God, highlighting children's fearless creativity.
Nativity Play Story: A humorous account involving children improvising in a Nativity play demonstrates kids' willingness to take risks and not fear being wrong.
The Problem with Current Education Systems
Children lose their natural creativity and fear being wrong as they grow.
Education systems stigmatize mistakes, which diminishes creativity.
Picasso's assertion that all children are born artists; the challenge is to remain one as they grow.
Transition in Education Systems
Speaker reflects on living in different countries and the consistent hierarchy of subjects in education systems worldwide:
Mathematics and languages are prioritized over the arts.
Arts, including dance, are undervalued.
Education focuses too heavily on academic ability and producing university professors.
Rethinking Intelligence
Intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct:
We must acknowledge different ways of thinking and learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
Creativity often arises from interdisciplinary interactions.
The structure of education is shifting due to increasing numbers of graduates and changing job market demands.
Case Study: Gillian Lynne
Gillian Lynne’s story of being misunderstood in school illustrates the need for recognizing different talents.
She became a renowned choreographer despite being labeled as having a learning disorder.
Conclusion
A call to adopt a new conception of human ecology that recognizes the richness of human capacity.
The education system should nurture creativity to prepare children for an unpredictable future.
Emphasizes the responsibility of educators to cultivate the potential of children for the benefit of future society.