Media That Inspires Me: Ken Robinson’s TED Talk
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A few days ago when I was visiting my mom, my sister showed me a bulletin that she’d received about preparing to take the ACT test. I was kind of surprised at first seeing as she is only in the seventh grade. She’s not even in high school yet! She has tons of homework and on top of that, she is now studying for this test.
I immediately thought back to when I was in the seventh grade; I hadn’t even heard of the test at that age. Schools seem to have changed so much and also seem to be increasingly focused on test scores. I think I took the ACT for the first time in the ninth grade and a second time in the eleventh grade. I did well both times. However I don’t put much stock in those tests or any tests for that matter because about a quarter of the way through each time I became bored and started choosing random answers. I’ve never had much patience for such tests. So for me I guess, the test measured my aptitude and knowledge for picking random answers. Knowledge doesn’t necessarily equal success and vice versa.
I was thinking about all of this today when I came across Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk. He was presenting a refreshing presentation on reforming the educational system. It wasn’t a new idea but it was, as I said, refreshing to hear him add his view to the ever growing conversation. The general point that I took from the talk was that the educational system needs to pay attention to each child’s interests and method of learning to provide that child with a infrastructure to nurture the talent. Everyone has talent. He argues that if this was done, there would probably be fewer cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and similar diagnosis.
I wholeheartedly agree with his observations. Indeed I believe if I had been in a highly regimented school focused on standardized tests like my sister, especially in my early years, I probably would have gotten lost in the cracks. But growing up in a very small village had its advantages and school was a very creative place for me. I know quite a few schools like this exist. I just wish they were the norm instead of the exception.
KJ
