Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson asserts that schools kill creativity. Just a few years in our educational system and kids say adios to their innate creative abilities. Creativity defined as creating something original and useful. 

Notice that creativity's definition (creating something original and useful) is not limited to the arts; it includes all disciplines. 

And, using that definition, you'll understand exactly why we would want creativity in education. Therefore, innovation has been & will continue to be the key to improving the world.

In my opinion, the educational system is based on a faulty belief that all children must know a specific set of "standards." The basic assumption of the system is wrong. This isn't something that can be tweaked with a few changes and more emphasis on creativity. The entire thing needs to be turned on its head. Instead of emphasizing teaching, start thinking about learning. How do kids (and all people) learn? By following their interests. Just as the kids are already creative, they already love to learn. But both traits are beat out of them by coercion. I completely agree that kids need down time, failure, play & opportunities for creativity. Note, though, that opportunities are options offered, not forced.