The Importance of Creativity in Education

Introduction

• Speaker: Tanya Cushman
• Context: Reflection on a recent conference
• Key themes of the conference mentioned:
  1. Extraordinary evidence of human creativity
  2. Unpredictability of the future
  3. Children's extraordinary capacities for innovation

Interest in Education

• Speaker’s profession: Research in education
• Everyone has a vested interest in education
• Education should prepare us for an unpredictable future
• Example: Children starting school now will retire in 2065, and we don't know what the world will look like then

Children’s Creative Capacities

• All kids have tremendous talents which are often squandered
• Example of Serena’s exceptional talent shown at the conference
• Key Point: Creativity is as important in education as literacy

Anecdotes Illustrating Creativity

1. Drawing Lesson: Little girl drawing a picture of God, illustrating unbounded creativity of children
2. Nativity Play: Humorous story about kids taking creative liberties with their roles

Fear of Being Wrong

• Kids are willing to take chances without the fear of being wrong
• Stigmatization of mistakes in modern education stifles creativity
• Picasso Quote: All children are born artists; the challenge is to remain an artist as we grow up
• Education systems often educate out of children their creative capacities

Hierarchy in Education

• Common hierarchy in education systems worldwide:
  1. Mathematics and Languages
  2. Humanities
  3. Arts (lowest)
• Even within Arts, dance and drama are often less valued than music and visual arts

Consequences of Current Education System

• System focuses on academic ability suited for industrialism
• Result: Talented children feel undervalued if their skills lie outside traditional academic areas
• Academic inflation: Degrees are becoming less valuable, needing higher qualifications for the same jobs
• Creativity suffers as education becomes a conveyor belt to university

Human Ecology and Intelligence

• Human Ecology: Need a new conception of it to appreciate and harness human capacities
• Intelligence: Three key attributes:
  1. Diverse: Varied ways of thinking (visual, sound, kinesthetic, abstract, etc.)
  2. Dynamic: Interactive nature of human brain and intelligence
  3. Distinct: Unique talents and pathways to discovering them

Case Study: Gillian Lynn

• Choreographer known for works like Cats and Phantom of the Opera
• Labeled as having a learning disorder as a child due to fidgeting and lack of focus
• Found her talent through dance, illustrating the importance of movement and alternative ways of learning
• Success story showing the value of recognizing and nurturing creative talents

Conclusion

• Importance of rethinking education to foster creativity and holistic development
• Future demands a reconstitution of education to appreciate the richness of human talent
• Jonas Salk Quote: Highlights the importance of human creativity for future sustainability
• Educating the whole being of children is crucial for them to face future challenges

Endnote: Cherishing and protecting great ideas is essential for future innovation and progress.