Changing Education Paradigms

:o I have just become obsessed with this video and want everyone to go watch it!

I was first really shocked by the fact that ADHD is primarily "found" on the east coast. I have been convinced since middle school I have ADHD (well that, and insomnia). I meet the "6 before 6" but as a child when my kindergarten teacher told my parents I needed Ritalin, my mom told her exactly where she could stick those pills. My parents embraced me as an energetic, hyper child and I think that instead of working against kids with their hyperactivity and trying to squash it, educators can work with that child to follow their passions and learn in ways that interest them.

I found the entire video very intriguing and think Ken Robinson is kind of brilliant. Traditional style of education is definitely outdated and to really change Education, we can't stop at just putting desks in a circle. It does seem odd to still adhere to a system of education that was designed for a completely different climate than what we live in now. Education needs to evolve with society; good leaders do not hold tight to traditions, but rather adapt and change to continue leading effectively. It amazes me that our society, one of the most advanced in the world, still has some the highest rates in violence, drunk driving, and teen pregnancy of other industrialized nations. I think changing that for the U.S. starts with creative education. Robinson brought up a good point of grouping students based on their age, but I do think though that AP classes are one good aspect of schools now because they do offer the opportunity for students of different ages and common interests to work together. But those students still need creativity, collaboration, and options. Robinson's ideas presented in the video absolutely tie back to the 21st Century Leaning goals as well as Marc Prensky's ideas presented in Teaching Digital Narratives which focus on deeper cognitive thinking. Achieving that begins with looking at students and education different.