This blog is about Critical Thinking – not being critical (being judgemental) when you are thinking, but thinking critically (being analytical). For me critical thinking is about asking questions about the things we take for granted: asking about the things we see as ‘normal’ t. These are things that because of our culture, or society we take as ‘just being’ (not noticeable). Critical Thinking asks us to notice/take the position that this is a perspective: if we lived at a different time or place or culture these ‘normal’ things would be noticeable (not normal).
In this lecture Sir Ken Robinson reconsiders 'school'. The perspective that 'education' or 'academia' is something separate from the arts (which are lesser value!) is something even those in the Arts might have picked up through social and cultural contact with the wider community. How have you positioned your own knowledge(s) gained from your artistic practice. What resonates with you from this lecture? What surprises you? is there some thing Sir Ken Robinson talks about that you feel he articulates really well - something you've thought but haven't put words to?
Please comment below...
In this lecture Sir Ken Robinson reconsiders 'school'. The perspective that 'education' or 'academia' is something separate from the arts (which are lesser value!) is something even those in the Arts might have picked up through social and cultural contact with the wider community. How have you positioned your own knowledge(s) gained from your artistic practice. What resonates with you from this lecture? What surprises you? is there some thing Sir Ken Robinson talks about that you feel he articulates really well - something you've thought but haven't put words to?
Please comment below...
I was extremely inspired by what he talked about within this conference. He touched on something that I myself as a dancer and teacher argue very often and have done for a long time. The concept of always facing that an arts subject(s) are not as imortant as core subjects is always a debat for many.
ReplyDeleteAs a child growing up, I was always drawn to the arts. BUT, I was always told to do something that would benefit my future and make a good source of income. It was and often still is stated to me, "What are you going to acheive from dance or performing arts? Where do you see yourself in the future? How and what will you acheive? Dance isn't really a career. How will you become sucessful?" Once over, when I was in college and secondary school deciding on my life and career choices, having this continuously said to me did affect me in some ways I'd say. I'd often question whether what I was doing would suit my future. But allowing those people to get into my head and make judgements was a big mistake, but I was able to follow my heart and go with what I love doing best. Having realised that doing something you love and are passionate about is all that matters.
I myself am still learning, but im able to be more efficient with my life skills that most people in day to day jobs will never have or use due to a lack of self confidence, skill set or creativity. So I have the arts to thank for this.
This is something I always put out there to my students, because in China children have such an advantage to what I myself grew up with or what is availbale now to children in western culture and society. They are placed into many different art forms and out of school activities and clubs, but are taught that these are meaningless. The only way they will get a good job, is to be something academically related. From my learning experience and what I'm STILL learning, is to help them understand and know that these subjects are just as important as others. Why it is they are learning what they are learning in dance. Why they are given tasks within dance. What they are going to acheive from learning that specific technique or skill set(s). It all makes a difference when understood how what you are learning is important. I also feel its important to push both those who strive and do not strive to feel they can succeed the same way. During this era, its drilled into the mindset that you must strive to suceed in order to be good at something. So in my experience as a teacher currently, I'm dealing with students who either have zero interest because its not a core subect, or they are not good enough. They are not taught that making mistakes is the best way of learning or succeeding. I can agree that my mindset has not always been this way either, but has started to develop with age and experience.
So to summarise off my thought of this inspiring video, I will take it to give my students the best understanding and knowledge that can be given to help them understand that making mistakes is all part of the learning process if succeeding!
Hi Shannon. Lovely to read your blog. So sad to hear that the arts are not seen to be important in such a large and prestigious country that has produced such a multitude of talent in the arts. I have just started a new job in an independent school which has a number of Asian students. They are really enjoying the drama classes and it is obviously helping their English language skills. Lets hope its 'baby steps' to a begin building for the future of arts in education in Asia etc.
DeleteThanks Debbie. Yes it is very sad, but hopefully in the future it will change.
DeleteHi Shannon,
DeleteWhat a onwderful lecture with some really interesting thoughts and perspectives! I agree with you - I was naturally drawn to the arts since a young child too and it's so sad to think it's widely considered to not be a subject within its own right.
Here is my response to this wonderful lecture
ReplyDeletehttps://dsmgdance.blogspot.com/
I have seen this TED talk a few times, but it is always inspiring to take another watch. I think what Sir Ken Robinson does extremely well, and perhaps the reason this video has become one of the most watched successful TED videos, is his rhetorical strategies to persuade.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the talk, his use of PATHOS: telling engaging stories and using humor to relate to the audience and using empathy through this mode of persuasion. The story he tells of Gillian Lynne comes directly to mind, and how she became wildly successful once given a platform to pursue her craft at a young age, versus if she were given medications and told to calm down.
Which leads to LOGOS: using these stories as data points and proof of concept for his claim that education systems are growing children out of creativity. How mistakes are stigmatized and are told they are "wrong," discouraging creativity. His use of putting certain words together helps us understand its important: saying things like "creativity is just as important as literacy" or "math is just as important as dance" helps the audience understand the level of importance and standards he expects. This is more powerful than just simply stating "creativity/dance is important."
His use of ETHOS: building off his reputation and character to make a point. One of his stand out lines to me is "the output of public education is to make university professors." It sounds silly at first, but when he breaks down the elements that public education weighs heavily, it makes sense that what they are trying to produce are just that. Part of what makes this argument so strong is that he admits to saying he is a professor himself. He is not bashing on professors, he is saying he understands both sides of the aisle, and that professors are not / should not be the highest form of people on the planet.
A great talk. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront. We must continue to strive toward teaching the whole being!
Hi all - this is my take on critical thinking :) https://dilinikandyandance.blogspot.com/2019/10/theory-and-frameworks.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this TED talk. I've watched it before but watching it again at this point in my teaching career, it has truly inspired me.
ReplyDeleteThere have been various articles published recently from different institutions and sources over the value of creative thinking. Is it because the education system has finally recognised this type of learning or is it because current socio - economic conditions are forcing us to look for other solutions?...Could it also be that the age of robotisation is forcing us to re-think on how we as human beings can continue to educate and evolve and what makes us different form simple fact knowing beings?...Sceptically I choose to believe in the latter, simply because History has shown us that Humanity's cycles of evolution and thought are born out of conflict and pressure, far more than ongoing reflection.
I also realise why I enjoyed this lecture so much. I regularly include engaging stories and humour into my classes to relate to my students and contextualize ideas. Thank you Simon for a gentle reminder of the whole Pathos > Logos > Ethos, it brought me right back to my Drama and Literature classes. Great post.