Name: Shouvik Chakraborty

Changing Educational Paradigms

Thesis: Yes, I agree with Ken Robinsons statement that we are educating people
out of their creativity.
MOD: In order to support the fact that our education system is destroying
creativity from human minds, we first need to understand the importance of
creativity in education. Then, we have to properly realize how our education
system works. Finally, we must identify the defects and loopholes in our
education system that generates the lack of creativity.
Evidence 1: Creative people invent, imagine, problem-solve, create, and
communicate in fresh, new ways. Every business requires creative thinkers in the
form of scientists, engineers, medical researchers, technology innovators,
business entrepreneurs, artists, performers, writers and illustrators, designers,
inventors, educators and parents. Those with the ability to "think outside of the
box" will lead the future and make special things
happen.(http://www.crayola.com/for-educators/resources-landing/parents-and-
teachers-as-partners-landing/importance-of-creativity.aspx)
Analysis: Creativity is the backbone of the development of human civilization. It
impacts our relationships, careers, and all other aspects of life. Without creativity,
people wont be able to express themselves in everyday life. And thus the seed of
creativity must be sowed in every students minds through education.
Evidence 2: Traditionally, learning was a highly independent process. Students
were told not to talk to their peers. Rows allowed the teacher to ensure that he
had a classs full attention while he talked at them. Math and science are
priorities in public education systems around the world because the
modern public education system was born during Industrial Revolution. Research
has shown students retain only five percent of what they learn in lecture, making
it one of the least efficient ways of teaching. Over the summer, students forget so
much information that teachers are forced to spend valuable time reviewing old
material. The fact that our model of public education has not undergone
Name: Shouvik Chakraborty
significant change in 200 years is a major factor in the decline of
American education. (http://tech.mit.edu/V130/N6/normandin.html )
Analysis: Our education system dates back to the industrial revolution era. The
people created this system in order to generate workforces in the industries. At
that time, the main purpose of graduation was to get a job in the manufacturing
for the most part. And that is why there was not much effort that was put to
make the students learn from the education. As our public education system stays
the same, it does not give much significance in the creativity of students. It is
designed to make good workers not creative thinkers.
Evidence 3: THE curriculum is ''sterile.'' Topics of great human interest ''on the
way to the classroom are apparently transformed and homogenized into
something of limited appeal.'' Students ''scarcely ever speculate on meanings'' or
discuss ''alternative interpretations.'' Teachers ''teach as they were taught'' years
ago in their own schooling. All the messages received by them ''conspire to
reinforce the status quo. The cards are stacked against
innovation.''(http://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/29/science/about-education-
new-study-finds-lack-of-creativity.html)
Analysis: Our education system teaches the same materials over and over again
based on grade levels. Thus it creates the trend of only one right answer to every
question throughout generations. In math, we are only taught one way to solve
the problem. In English, we are instructed to write a letter or an essay through a
same pattern. This just terminates the divergent thinking process that ultimately
hampers the creativity of students.
Conclusion: Lack of creativity in human thoughts will cause a decline in the
growth of human advancement. In order to maintain creativity in education, we
need to rethink and reform our education systems using our creative minds so
that we can create more innovative intellectuals and problem solvers among
ourselves.

Name: Shouvik Chakraborty
Bibliography
1. "Importance of Creativity." Crayola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.crayola.com/for-educators/resources-landing/parents-and-
teachers-as-partners-landing/importance-of-creativity.aspx>.
2. Normandin, Ryan. "A New Model of Public Education - The Tech." A New
Model of Public Education - The Tech. MIT.edu, 19 Feb. 2010. Web. 16 Feb.
2013. <http://tech.mit.edu/V130/N6/normandin.html>.
3. Hechinger, Fred M. "ABOUT EDUCATION; NEW STUDY FINDS LACK OF
CREATIVITY." The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Mar. 1983.
Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/29/science/about-
education-new-study-finds-lack-of-creativity.html>.