How lucky I am to live here.
Here the double-edged sword of education is at its finest—or perhaps should I say the hierarchy is at its highest. Here, from the top of the figurative and literal mountain, I can observe what may just be the most characteristic and utterly fascinating facet of Korean society.
Obama lauded it. Foreigners condemned it. I have lived it, in all its glory and horror. Now, after watching Sir Ken Robinson’s lecture, I begin to wonder about standards. There is a certain point in Sir Robinson’s speech, but according to that, the situation I find myself in seems quite a dilemma—is this the ‘right’ kind of education? Are we receiving enough breathing space, or is it just worse? Why are we here anyway?
If KMLA really is a school with so-called “higher-quality” education than other “normal” schools, does that mean we are receiving Robinsonian education—namely, the pursuit of creativity in all its forms—or just harder work? Are we here because they deemed us smart enough for (and therefore worthy of) more educational options? Or simply because someone 20 years ago had the idea to make a smarthouse that would soon turn into college-machines? Sir Robinson mentioned that schools and factories run very much on the same basis. According to his point of view, KMLA is a very efficient factory indeed, one that would certainly squash all forms of creativity if there happened to be any. After all, students here are exposed to more classes, more subject matters, more time after classes to catch up on their work or even to learn new things. In short, they are open to more school hours. And somehow, this has made them extremely welcome to foreign colleges, many of which run on similar values as Sir Ken Robinson.
Wait a minute. Do I smell a paradox here?
It’s not just that KMLA is an aggregation of the country’s brightest and best, nor that they simply have better teachers than other schools (although that’s true). And it’s certainly not because the kids here know inherently how to utilize their education for creative purposes. Because it’s not just them. Education, after all, began with the pressing need to know things in order to survive, which in turn evolved into the insatiable thirst for knowledge only humans are said to possess. And this thirst applies not just to the “smart” crowd but also the “normal” crowd. Everyone wants to learn. Everyone has the potential to channel this energy into something greater. It’s all a matter of whether or not you apply yourself.
I believe that it all boils down to how much we are willing to step beyond the material. The schools, following their need to educate the masses, impose standards; but if the students decide to go the extra mile and engage in creative activity—not just dance, music or art but also an application of their knowledge—why, then I believe the scope for creativity has become wider. Education is an eye-opener, not a closer. Sir Robinson said that education moves progressively upwards, then tilts slightly to one side. If the progression of that one side helps one understand more about the world and therefore expands the playing field of the mind, then no, school doesn’t kill creativity. It’s the mental sloth of the individual.
Definitely not the most traditional approach to this essay - but, it works. You raise a question, and decidedly answer it. I like it. It's a smooth read with lots of poignant moments of "hmmm." And you are right. You ARE in a position to comment, which is why I assigned this essay. I think students should question it, should discuss it, and should play a bigger part in shaping it. I, like you, don't quite agree with Robinson, but I do think he does a good job of making us think and discuss with his attention grabbing claims. School does not kill creativity. But it might not help it bloom as much as it could.
답글삭제I think KMLA does exhibit a lot of creativity, simply because students feed off of one another in an environment that demands it. The Minjok Festival etc. often showcase that element, and students here have a certain degree of onus placed on them to "do something," and this often does not start in the classroom at all.
I really enjoy your writing. But your font is kind of small.