Not too long ago, our class watched a video about creative thinking and one of the weekend essays was based on creative thinking. Ever since watching the TED Talk Notes and writing the weekend essay, I realized how much the education system lacked the effort to incorporate creative thinking into learning. This is particularly the case with standardized testing, where there is only one correct answer. Memorization and knowledge are valued more than creativity. Creativity is often "saved for later" or in other words the it is not seen as important as other matters learned in school. Therefore, the full capacity of many students' capabilities are constricted.
By fostering creativity within the confines of our current educational system, this can benefit and expand thinking. Allowing students to figure out answers to questions through exploration can lead to activities where students are able to find out answers through trial and error. “If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’re not prepared to be creative.”
What kind of improvements should the education system make? Do you think Common Core was a step to educating us more creatively?
I think the most important improvement that the education system could make is to stress more on the importance on evaluating and elaborating on decisions. I personally don't like common core but I have to admit that it has made more students think for themselves more. Students can't get away with just choosing a random answer and hoping they're right because they now have to explain why they chose it. Explaining why you chose a certain answer really creates a whole new perspective on learning because you actually stop to think. I think common core would impact our AP English class the most because our multiple choice exam in May focuses on your mind elaborating on prompts and passages. By practicing that now, our minds will not be limited to only A, B, C, or D but instead focused on why it's A, B, C, or D. Maybe Common Core will finally unlock that portion in our brain to think of why everything happens the way it does. Maybe Common Core is a blessing disguised as a curse because even though people hate it, people are finally thinking for themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think we should start with to be more creative is for us to start to be more creative instead of waiting for the school to enforce it. For example I want to possibly be a video designer or robotic so what I should currently be doing is sketching out designs so when I grow up I take classes that help me bring my dreams to real life.
ReplyDeleteI think Common Core has allowed students to become more creative, because students are now having to think independently. I agree with Vincent's statement, Common Core has implemented students to think more for themselves, for students are now having to elaborate on why they chose an answer rather than choosing it and moving on. I think improvements the education system should focus on independent thinking and preparing students for the real world rather than uniforming students to become test takers that rely on memorization.
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