Sir Ken Robinson - Keynote

SIr Ken Robinson Keynote Address
The place where talent meets passion is very important
Isn't what I do who I am?
Tweeted asking people to name a job they would hate. Importance of finding things that will fulfill your spirit. When in close harmony with others things roll smoothly.
Talent often buried and needs to be discovered. Paul McCartney didn't like music at school. HIs music teacher thought he had no talent. Same for George Harrison. Teacher had half the Beatles in his sight and he missed it!!!!!
Human talent is like the world’s resources. Able to be depleted
Two critical matters facing us.
1.Headwind of a cultural ideology that minimises human talent in a very narrow way.
2. Need to change the culture of education. A global strategic issue - we invest millions of dollars and its fundamental to the success of future economies. Often there is no reference to the children involved.  All dealt with at a strategy level.

GERM - Global Education Reform Movement !
Based on standardisation of education. Has done nothing to improve systems
Relationship of data to Learning is critical
About  20% of USA kids don't enter 12th grade after completing 9th grade
System is failing now.

Many people don't find work long term. Graph of  Youth unemployment in Europe tragic.  Over 50% in Italy, Greece and other European countries
Tragic loss in terms of human capability.

Ed Systems industrialised in ways that are antipathetic to human behaviour - intellectual conformity - narrow idea of academic ability - people who don't fit the mould considered not to be very bright.
SIr Ken got polio. Was put into special ed with kids from 5 to 11.
Physical disability often treated as if there is some intellectual impairment as well.
Conformity encourages such ways of thinking.
Every human life is different
“To be born at all is a miracle so what are you going to do with your life?” Asked The Dalai Lama
We overlook the wonderful resources and talents in our students
The process of learning is the process of arousing curiosity and asking the questions to guide the learner, not to fill them with content

Human life is not linear, it's organic.
Our greatest creativity is in the life we compose for ourselves.
We must give our children access to the talents that lie inside them.

“Creative Schools: The grassroots revolution that's transforming education” Sir Ken's latest book.
From an industrial model to an organic model of education.

Industrial agriculture - has laid waste to soils and waterways - mass extinction of the creatures that share the planet with us.
Organic farming based on mixed farming. Not focussed on the planet but focussed on the soil. If you destroy the soil you don't get the right result.

Understand the culture of learning,  An act of creation, a human process.
On the verge of a fantastic revolution in education
From the ground up revolution not the top down.