Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion How Schools Stifle Creativity

That headline caught my attention since I've been reading Renzulli's Light Up Your Child's Mind and have the ongoing question of whether to keep DDs in public school or homeschool. If you haven't see this TED video, it's well worth watching.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/03/robinson.schools.stifle.creativity/index.html

The focus of most schools is on the school not on the individuals in the school. It is that way in most organizations. The search for passion and then excellence never gets off the ground.

While GT kids are certainly bright, it is their passion that is far more precious.

The moral element - passion - is far more important.

"It happens in part because the dominant systems of education are rooted in the values and demands of industrialism: they are linear, mechanistic and focused on conformity and standardization. Nowadays, they're buttressed by major commercial interests in mass testing and by the indiscriminate use of prescription drugs that keep students' minds from wandering to things they naturally find more interesting."

My son is a talented sculptor. He showed the art teacher (grade5) some of his work. "Very nice" she said. That wasn't good enough, so after letting the headmistress see the work he is now being tutored by the head of Art in the Senior School. Oh that we could achieve the same for his physics, history, classics and literature - but I doubt it.

A great book, an eye opener - "Dumbing Us Down"
http://www.amazon.com/Dumbing-Down-...mp;s=books&qid=1257267795&sr=8-1

inky - thank you so much for posting. I really enjoyed that.

I recently have been learning to be more open minded about my children's thinking.

At one point, I was frustrated with the way my child was doing math. She did not want to take the short cut. Once I realized she was being creative to make it more interesting, I let her do it the way she wanted. This is also her way of coping.

I have always encouraged the arts and hope to do more indepth. The video just reinforced the need for my children.

Thanks for posting this video...

Everyone on the planet should be watching this movie. It is really a recipe to making our future much more productive. We need to end this system that focuses on competition rather than individual achievement.

Caught this too. Was so impressed ... just wished I'd known about it before - first broadcast in 06!

When you think about it posting here and reading is helping to advocate for gifted. I'm learning so much. I'll pass some of this info. on to others when I advocate for my kids. We all have a little more meaning in the world.

My mom has been saying words to this effect ever since I can remember!

I'll add that this attitude also pervades colleges and universities, grantmaking bodies, etc. etc.

Ahh, to have riches that I could use to fund funky ideas ranging from theoretical physics to paleoanthropology to writing and everything in between.

Val

wow what an interesting video - thanks so much for sharing - I completely enjoyed this!

Add another notch on the "Yes" side of the debate column to homeschool my kids.