Creative School: The Grassroots Revolution That Transforming Education
Author: Sir Ken Robinson
What is the book about as a whole?
The fundamental purpose of education is to help students learn, and school must be the environment that helps students learn.
What is being said in detail, and how?
The book starts with how did we end up where we are, and why we must change the metaphors for education. The author examined the ideal of natural-born learners. Understanding that children have the capacity to learn. Based on that key understanding, the author dived into the art of teaching, the curriculum, assessment, the expectation for principals, and what are the responsibility of parents.
Is the book true, in whole or in part?
The author did a fantastic job outlining the reasons that made education the way it is today. It is true that for students to benefit from a school, everyone in the school must have the same understanding of the purpose of education and what is their role in building an environment for learning.
Why does the author think it is important to know these things?
We cannot continue to educate students like products on a factory conveyer belt. Each person, each student, is unique and creative, and to help them succeed and be productive citizens, education must be the soil where they grow strong and confident.
Impressions
As an educator and an administrator, many concepts of this book were not new to me, but it was personally impactful to have some of the new metaphors to help me visualize what school should and can be. Metaphors include ‘school as a living organism,” and principals’ responsible is “climate control.”
Who Should Read It?
Teachers, administrators, policymakers, parents, and students.
How the Book changed me (thoughts, ideas, behavior)
It is important to ask why we do what we do and examine the impact of the current education system. It also changed the way I think about improving school and education. It has to be a collaborative effort because every individual will be effect by any change to a school system.
My Top 3 Quotes
The heart of education is the relationship between the student and the teacher. Everything else depends on how productive and successful that relationship.
Creativity is about fresh thinking.
The power of visionary leadership in effecting change; and the need for principals and teachers to create the conditions in schools in which students will flourish and give their best.
Get the Book: Amazon / Amazon Kindle
