Reflection II

Reflection II

            The TED talk How to escape education’s death valley addresses how our school systems are failing our teachers and students. Ken Robinson discusses how we have a drop out epidemic in America many students drop out of school every year. This is compounded by the fact that many of other students that are sitting in class but are disengaged and not actually learning. This is due to the fact that there are three principles on which human life thrives, and they have been stripped from the education world. The first principle is that humans are diverse but in our schools we promote conformity which goes against human nature. I have seen this in my student teacher placements. Children are separated or labeled rather than praised for their differences.

            The second principal on which human life thrives is curiosity but in our schools we focus on standards and assessments. In our schools, we focus on teaching to the tests (standardized tests specifically) rather than teaching our students material that will spark their curiosity or that correlates to what goes on in the real world. The third principal is that humans are creative which is evident by the creations and ideas children come up with when allowed to. However, we stifle creativity because our students are busy completing worksheets and memorizing information.

            The video Engaging the Net Generation (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=engaging+the+net+generation) discusses the fact that are current students are different from any students that have entered our schools before because they are ‘digital natives.’ They have grown up with technology, and it consumes nearly every aspect of their lives. However, we are teaching these students the same way we taught students 40 years ago. The video states that students need to explore and discover information on their own in order to truly learn. Teachers have to find a way to make learning important to students so that they will truly commit to the learning process.

          Another important point that Ken Robinson addresses in his TED talk is that teachers are no longer respected. Teaching has gone from being an art to a profession where teachers simply pass on the information that the students have to know passed on what their grade level is. From my own experiences, I do believe this to be true. People often ask me why I would chose to get involved in the education field and make plenty of degrading comments. As Robinson states, we cannot expect our teachers to truly help our students if they have been stripped of their respect and handed the information they must regurgitate to the students.

 

            In my personal opinion, every point Robinson makes is valid. We have to give teachers the respect they deserve and allow them the creative space they are entitled to. In my opinion, it would make sense to let the teachers and administrators who are actually in the class with the students to take the reins. Ken Robinson’s TED talk shines a light on the overall problems that are currently plaguing the world of education but as he points out, nothing will change unless everyone insists that change occur. If we do not find a way to permanently engage students in their education thousands, if not millions of students, will continue to slip through the cracks.