I just watched another wonderful video from the TED conference. Sir Ken Robinson discussing creativity, education and our direction as educators for the future. His presentation is very entertaining, causing me to laugh out loud on several occasions, but it is effective because it resonates at a deeper level. As he spoke, many personal conversations and experiences sprang to mind.

Often in our education system, it is seen as a terrible waste, if someone with academic ability pursues the arts. When I was in Year 10 at high school, we had to meet with a teacher to discuss our subject choices for the following year - the start of the VCE - our final years of high school, and what was perceived to be the doorway to our career choices for the rest of our lives. I wanted to study a mix of Chemistry, Maths, English, Art, Music and Drama, and I was sure there would be an argument, so I took my father along. Everything went smoothly - I was encouraged to diversify, and the teacher was very supportive. I cannot remember which staff member I met with that day, but I thank them for their support. The following year I was over confident - I went to my meeting alone…and was harangued for an hour as the teacher tried to make me change my selections, saying I had to choose Maths & Science OR Arts, not both. Why? Why could they not see that the creative skills that are fostered in art subjects can be very valuable in more academic fields, particularly in the area of problem solving and creative thinking? Especially now, when so many commentators speak on the importance of creative thinking to the business world.

Robinson also mentions fear of failure as being a major cause for the lack of creativity in many adults. It reminded me of the story of Thomas Edison. He felt we should not see mistakes as failure, rather, as an opportunity for learning. Edison made more than 1,000 attempts to invent the electric light bulb. A colleagues asked “Don’t you feel you are a failure?”. Edison replied “Not at all. Now, I definitely know more than a thousand ways how NOT to make a light bulb.” A few days later he was successful. In contrast, Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, who demonstrated the theoretical concept first, gave up trying to develop a working light bulb after only three attempts.

I hope that views like Robinson’s continue to spread in the Education world. The Principal at one of my schools forwarded the link to this video to all of his staff, asking them to watch it. It is a powerful message, and hopefully the ripple effect will continue to spread.