Post by cheyennebolin on Aug 8, 2011 0:43:21 GMT -5
The accepted definition of creativity is the production of something original and useful. What should be done as a nation to combat the severe decline of creativity in the youngest generation?
Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman point out a few problems with today’s teaching systems, regarding those of teachers and parents in, “The Creativity Crisis.” It is stated that, “one likely culprit is the number of hours kids now spend in front of the TV and playing videogames rather than engaging in creative activities.” Now some shows and games do help increase learning possibilities and promote creative though but most are used simply for fun. Parents that allow their children to play video games instead of getting them outside and thinking of creative ways to entertain themselves are actually hampering their children’s creative development.
As for teaching systems, schools are now so focused on curriculum standards that most have forgotten the main intention for schooling, which is to learn. The only things students today are learning is how to do something word for word as a teacher directs them. Students are supposed to write an open response with a certain prewritten outline. What’s the creativity in that? Using someone else’s knowledge and thoughts to outline their own is no way of how to show creativity and allows no room for personal advancement towards a certain goal. The goals are set and the student must reach them through a certain path. Students must learn through very strict guidelines and repetitive processes. The only thing this helps students learn is how to cheat and simply pass. The article states that they’re, “overwhelmed by curriculum standards, American teachers warn there’s no room in the day for a creativity class.” Who said that it had to be a single class throughout the day? That’s where most school systems have gotten it wrong. Creativity should not be singled out for a certain time frame during the day. It should show its face in every classroom and every subject matter.
When creativity is removed from one’s life they fall into a state where they avoid the thought of learning. The way the authors of “The Creativity Crisis” state this is, “they didn’t stop asking questions because they lost interest: it’s the other way around. They lost interest because they stopped asking questions.” And why did they stop asking those questions? The next day they’ll walk into the same classroom and sit down in the same seat and have to learn a different topic the exact same way they learned the previous topic. Students need variation in their lives in order for them to stay refreshed.
I agree with the statement that students are dropping out of school not because they are depressed or anxious but because they are discouraged and bored. Students that aren’t allowed to explore creativity in numerous ways get tired and bored easily, like a young child. If we want to raise our numbers regarding creativity again we must enrich students learning opportunities.
Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman point out a few problems with today’s teaching systems, regarding those of teachers and parents in, “The Creativity Crisis.” It is stated that, “one likely culprit is the number of hours kids now spend in front of the TV and playing videogames rather than engaging in creative activities.” Now some shows and games do help increase learning possibilities and promote creative though but most are used simply for fun. Parents that allow their children to play video games instead of getting them outside and thinking of creative ways to entertain themselves are actually hampering their children’s creative development.
As for teaching systems, schools are now so focused on curriculum standards that most have forgotten the main intention for schooling, which is to learn. The only things students today are learning is how to do something word for word as a teacher directs them. Students are supposed to write an open response with a certain prewritten outline. What’s the creativity in that? Using someone else’s knowledge and thoughts to outline their own is no way of how to show creativity and allows no room for personal advancement towards a certain goal. The goals are set and the student must reach them through a certain path. Students must learn through very strict guidelines and repetitive processes. The only thing this helps students learn is how to cheat and simply pass. The article states that they’re, “overwhelmed by curriculum standards, American teachers warn there’s no room in the day for a creativity class.” Who said that it had to be a single class throughout the day? That’s where most school systems have gotten it wrong. Creativity should not be singled out for a certain time frame during the day. It should show its face in every classroom and every subject matter.
When creativity is removed from one’s life they fall into a state where they avoid the thought of learning. The way the authors of “The Creativity Crisis” state this is, “they didn’t stop asking questions because they lost interest: it’s the other way around. They lost interest because they stopped asking questions.” And why did they stop asking those questions? The next day they’ll walk into the same classroom and sit down in the same seat and have to learn a different topic the exact same way they learned the previous topic. Students need variation in their lives in order for them to stay refreshed.
I agree with the statement that students are dropping out of school not because they are depressed or anxious but because they are discouraged and bored. Students that aren’t allowed to explore creativity in numerous ways get tired and bored easily, like a young child. If we want to raise our numbers regarding creativity again we must enrich students learning opportunities.