Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Revolutionising Education from the Ground Up: Presentation by late Sir Ken Robinson, acclaimed teacher, writer and researcher
In this thought-provoking presentation, internationally recognised authority in creativity and innovation in education, late Sir Ken Robinson looked at the notion of revolutionising education from the ground up. He explored the purpose of education and how notions of intelligence could bias perceptions of ability. Sir Ken provided great insights into the case for change and how we can empower schools with a spirit of innovation, creativity and a sense of possibility. Excerpts from his address:
- The current systems of education are not really designed to deal with the challenges that we’ve collectively generated in the 21st century.
- We need to challenge some of the long-held assumptions about education and the ways in which these were serving, or not serving, young people.
- All children are born with extraordinary capacities, extraordinary potentials.
- What becomes of these capacities depends on where a child lives, how he/ she is raised, and how he/ she is educated.
- There’s a difference between capacity and ability. Capacity is potential – a fundamental talent / gift – very much like the Earth’s natural resources. Very diverse, often hidden from the view. Capacities have to be discovered and refined – shaped into something valuable.
- There’s also a difference between learning, education and school. Learning is the process of acquiring new skills and understanding. Education, in my view, is a more intentional and organised process through which we attempt to give shape to our learning. A school is a community of learners who come to learn with and from each other.
- Very many children have a bad time at school. Problem is not with the children or students but how we’ve come to organise education. I don’t mean individual schools or teachers, rather the system.
- I’ve asked large rooms of people how many senses do we have. Most say five. Some say six, when pushed. An expert will tell you that we have at least nine senses. For instance, the sense of balance.
- Now, if we can underestimate a fundamental concept like senses, imagine how we would view a more complicated concept like intelligence.
- Current educational systems are based on 3 principles — conformity with established ideas, compliance and competition. Whereas , at the heart of great civilisations, what we have is collaboration.
- Education should enable young people to engage with the world in them as well as the world around them.
- Education should enable young people to become economically responsible and independent.
- It should enable students to understand and appreciate their own culture and respect the diversity of others.
- It should enable young people to become active and compassionate citizens.
- We are embodied beings. A lot of problems at schools, today, have come about due to the neglect of physical education.
(To watch Sir Ken Robinson’s full address, visit: https://stem2020.com.au/2020/06/01/sir-ken-robinson-revolutionising-education-from-the-ground-up/)
Career
Image source: success.com3 Questions to help you Wake Up and Stop Living on Autopilot
Excerpts from article by Megan Nicole O’Neal published in success.com
We’ve all been caught coasting on autopilot at one time or another. Sometimes it’s purposeful and strategic, scheduled as a way to recharge and build momentum the next big move.
But more often, we don’t recognise our lives are locked on autopilot, run by our busy schedules, our Google Calendars, in place of our own person. This is dangerous.
So, how do you put yourself back in the driver’s seat? The first step is recognising when you’ve been booted to the passenger side. Start with these three questions:
1. Where do I want to be, professionally or personally, in one year?
Try not to look further than one year into the future. It can get overwhelming peering all the way out to five years, yet many have a tendency to underestimate their own potential and might aim too low with less time. One year keeps the goal just slightly out of reach, and gives a greater sense of achievability. Be honest. If you aren’t happy right now, dig deep and ask yourself the uncomfortable questions about what needs to change.
2. What baby steps can I take to get myself there?
You have 365 days. How do you want to invest them? You might not know which steps are needed at first glance, and that’s OK. If you find yourself paralysed with inaction, remove yourself from the present and step into your future shoes. Perhaps you want to be a film producer. Close your eyes and envision what your day is like. What tasks in the future will you be doing? Breaking things down into bite-size pieces makes uncertainty taste a lot better.
3. Is my time currently being used in a way that helps me reach these goals?
Understandably, everyone needs a job of some sort and sometimes our passions don’t always align with our 9-to-5 routine. I’m not saying to quit your full-time position with benefits to pursue your dreams of woodworking. Not yet, that is. If woodworking is your calling, do not spend the rest of your adult life buried in spreadsheets. But transition strategically and one bite at a time. Take a sculpting class on the weekends. Place some of your works online and build a fan base. Move yourself forward, using your time intentionally to inch closer to your goal. The key is to be realistic.
Autopilot has a homey feeling to it because you know what to expect—Tuesday is laundry day and take-out. Falling into a routine provides structure, yet when you think back to the moments in life where you felt most excited, proud and alive, they’re usually products of change. Newness has enormous potential, which ironically is the exact reason people find it intimidating. You can’t always predict which way the seesaw will teeter. But living with blinders and an aversion to change comes with its own set of unforeseen consequences.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the above mentioned articles are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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