Does School Kill Creativity

Potential lies within both sides of this argument. Some say school is killing creativity, but on the other hand, others may think that it promotes creativity.  Schools may kill one’s creativity through highly funded programs, such as programs in the health, business and engineering fields. The school system is forcing students into such programs because of the potential income and benefits one would obtain once they have a job in one of these fields. One could argue that this opposes the minor income that is received in the lesser funded programs, such as liberal arts. The fact that one can barely survive with a degree in the arts versus his or her income flourishing with a nursing or engineering degree, is indirectly forcing students to leave behind something they have a true passion for. As Sir Ken Robinson stated, this displays a process of academic inflation, where the programs that are deemed as most important are the most funded. Now on the contrary there are many reasons one would say schools are not be killing creativity. This is my belief, because one can still find creativity within these highly funded programs or fields of study.  The students that are indirectly being forced into these programs are still able to engage in what they have grown to love and follow their passions during their own time. Even better, they can find a way to incorporate their passion into their career. Realistically, these highly funded programs produce doctors, lawyers, engineers and entrepreneurs, who all play a big role in the growth of our economy. We cannot reject the aspects which generate our country, but we can incorporate creativity into these aspects.

Education and schooling has had a profound effect on the human race. Sir Ken Robinson believed that education produces particular kinds of people, specifically professors. I agree that education does create professors, but by putting these professors in the school setting empowers the growth of our countries leaders and working class. Some may even argue that education is the only factor in the production in our country, but I believe that it takes more than just education. One must gain experience from overcoming adversities. By being publicly schooled I have learned how to approach such adversities. These hardships were displayed in my sporting teams, organizations and in my classroom. Most importantly, through my experiences in school I have learned to be patient, sociable, and aware of my surroundings, which all are results of the presence of school and education in my life.

Sir Ken Robinson proposed a very useful solution. The solution stated that in the future, it would behoove us to “adopt a new conception on human ecology”. The foundation of this conception on human ecology is built upon three methods. First, our conception of the richness of human capacity will be reconstructed. Furthermore, the fundamental principles of which we’re educating our children will be reconsidered. Finally, we have to be careful and use the gift of the human imagination wisely. I strongly agree with Robinson’s solution. The system in which we are educated in has caused us to be narrow-minded when it comes to the future aspirations of our country. Also, I side with acknowledging that we have been given the gift of creative abilities and that it is essential to recognize these abilities in our future generations. Educating our future generation based on Robinson’s solution can possibly prepare us for economic prosperity.   

Moreover, Robinson defined intelligence with three methods. Intelligence is first described as being diverse and we, as an intelligent human race, approach situations “verbally, in sound, abstract and in movement”. I believe that the different forms of intelligence are what deem intelligence to be unique.  Furthermore, Robinson addressed intelligence as “dynamic and interactive based on the brain”. A person with intellect should be well-rounded and all of the aspects that make that person intelligent should coincide with one another. Lastly, intelligence is said to be “distinct”. Intelligence is unique and one should be able to differentiate his/her level of intelligence in comparison to another person. The ideal intellectual person is considered to be the Albert Einstein and Andrew Carnegie of our country; one who is expected to drastically affect the growth of our country and economy. I disagree with this conception. Intellect depends on how a person uses and expands on their talents and how well that person affects the people around them, whether this affect is major or minor. In conclusion, there are ways that this video relates to standardized testing. Just as Stanley Kaplan discussed in his article, My 54 Year Love Affair with the SAT, these test are centered on reading comprehension, problem solving, math concepts, and vocabulary skills. The arts, which are based upon creativity and uniqueness, are then excluded. Do we want our future generation to be strict minded? Or will we eventually realize the importance of testing our future generation based on the creative ability.

What makes a good comment?

Last class, we discussed good commenting and how to approach the author when you are responding to his/her post. This was a helpful activity because it allowed us to explore the different approaches of responding to the author's post. By doing this we could prevent us limiting ourselves of ideas when we responded. We came up with some pretty good stuff. For example, we decided that constructive criticism, asking questions, or offering additional information would keep the author thinking and engaged. Constructive criticism is always essential to commenting on the author's post. It enables the author to see what he/she is doing right or what he/she could do better on the next post. Asking the author questions will challenge the author and possibly make him/her take another approach to his/her writing. Lastly, offering additional information, i.e. helpful links to websites, will enlighten the author with new and innovative writing styles. These are all great ways to approach the author’s post.

My 54 Year Love Affair with the SAT Reading Response

In My 54 Year Love Affair with the SAT the author, Stanley Kaplan, argued that he could prepare students for a test that defied preparation. The foundation of his tutoring preparation began with a high school junior named Elizabeth. Also in this article, Stanley Kaplan argued his belief of the SAT’s potential and the preparation for it. Kaplan decided that he would have to take a methodical approach to prepare students for the SAT, since the test was systematic and demanding. He added that some students needed to learn the material for the first time, while others needed to review the material. Furthermore, he stated that once you are familiar with what the material is, it is essential to go a step ahead and establish the “hows and whys” of the information, when preparing for the SAT. Establishing the “hows and whys” is essential because, students are tested on “reading comprehension, problem solving, math concepts, and vocabulary skills,” which challenges students to comprehend and understand the subject matter. According to Stanley Kaplan, “answering SAT questions required focus, reasoning, and practice. “All of which results in superior test-taking skills. When it came to preparing Elizabeth for the SAT, Kaplan fed her with “pages of vocabulary and reading comprehensive drills, math problems and vocabulary questions to stimulate the SAT.” Kaplan concluded that he wanted to prepare students for a test that could help admit them into college based on their academic excellence.

 

Inclusively, I believe that Stanley Kaplan did a wonderful job defending his arguments. At the end of his preparation process, he left students with confidence and familiarity. They were enabled to succeed through his ability to offer an initiative to students that required constant practice and repetition. With Kaplan’s assistance Elizabeth became “a powerful problem solver and a confident test taker.” When she approached the exam, she had an advantage over other students and she was able to apply the strategies that she learned from Kaplan. Most importantly Elizabeth was able to network and share what she had learned with other students. By this being the foundation of Kaplan’s tutoring preparation for the SAT, his business grew exponentially. From this article I was also enlightened on the SAT’s starting point and how it was used before we got to where we are now.

 

In conclusion, I strongly agree with Stanley Kaplan’s approach and beliefs. First off, once you consistently practice the material then you become familiar with it. Secondly, when you become familiar with the material, that then creates confidence for the person. Lastly, confidence generates success. For example, Elizabeth knew what to expect when she approached the SAT. She was confident and familiar enough with the material that she tackled the questions on the test using the tactics that she learned. Also, Stanley Kaplan implied that the SAT could help democratize American education through diversity, which we are seeing now more than ever. Students are getting into top colleges without having to be funded by their guardians or attending a prestigious private school. I believe that we are seeing Kaplan’s approach and beliefs happening in 2013. One thing I must say that was missing from the passage was the scores that the students received after being tutored from Stanley Kaplan. His approaches can be quality but they are nothing without positive results.

 

The Golden line that really caught my attention was, “No matter how many times students took the SAT, their scores would remain about the same, and students’ college performance was very close to what the SAT predicted.” This line really stood out to me, though I disagree with it. I believe that students’ scores are determined from how they prepare for the test. Whether they practice frequently, and become familiar and confident with the material just as Stanley Kaplan stated, will result in whether their outcome is positive or negative. Personally, I did not reach my full potential on the SAT but my first semester in college I reached the Dean’s list.

Writing History Response

If I recall correctly, it took me six years to realize what an extraordinary influence that writing had on my life.  My admiration of the various values that writing opens one up to was erupted by what rested beside my head nightly.

 At six years old, no one could take my nose out of a book, regardless of the type. It first was my mother who gave me her spare change weekly to order scholastic novels. This became known as the beginning and the foundation of my writing history. Curiosity began to arise in my mind and I sought out to explore the world of literature. Most of my free time was spent at my elementary school’s book fair, or in our community’s local library. Right after school, every three to four days, I elected novels to be read to me by my older sister. My library card became an everyday necessity and eventually I craved for knowledge and creativity to feed to my brain. For a year or two I stayed consistent with construing in what I recognized as my favorite series of novels, the Magic School Bus. The novel’s level of creativity exceeded what my mind was familiar with but by reading the novels repeatedly I became accustomed to this foreign style.  Reading the Magic School Bus even inspired me to create a scholastic novel of my own.

From elementary school up until middle school my peers identified me as the extremely tall individual who wore “magnified glasses”.  I vividly remember trailing in the pack while going to lunch, leaning unaccompanied against the wall at socials, and sitting in the back seats of the yellow bus everyday as we pulled up to Hodge Road Elementary. All of this resulted because of my love for literature.  Three of the toughest years of my life flew by. Good posture, trended clothes that fit, and the “bad boy attitude” began to sprout. There was a drastic change in how I talked, what I wore, and the activities I was engaged in. All of these factors affected the maturity of my views.

One, as a writer, is typically molded by a high level of influence. In this case my parents, teachers or mentors, and peers shaped my views as a writer. It was through my experiences with them in and outside of school that evolved me into the writer that I am currently. My senior year, in AP English IV, I had to conduct a paper indicating and describing a person who had a significant influence on me. Because I have experienced such a strong mother-son relationship with my mother I was able to lay out my story for the reader. Absorbing the teachings of my parents and instructors enabled me to further expand my knowledge. Through their teachings I have learned the importance of gaining knowledge and applying it, not just through literature, but also through my experiences.

Not only have I engendered trust in writing, but I have also gained confidence in approaching my writing. Experimenting and consistently adding onto my writing styles has shaped how I approach my writing.  First off, I begin by brainstorming what I am going to write about but I always remember to keep the audience in mind. Then, I proceed to write and once I am finished, I always encourage myself to get someone to proofread and peer edited my work. Once the first draft is proofread and edited I then revise my work for the final draft. Even though the amount of creativity in one’s work is what interests me the most, structure and organization is still a key component in one’s work. Most importantly, I have learned that it is important to be comfortable when you approach writing and to build your own unique path for the reader to engage in and connect with.  

Sometimes I think that the world around me is crumbling to the ground, but it never does because I am able to tackle the endless troubles that life offers through writing.  While the raw experiences I have at school, home, the library or in the local community will forever remain as history, I have learned to truly value them. Writing has molded my life and has given me a passion for learning and obtaining a distinct individuality. Not having to always worry about who is criticizing me for who I am is the type of mentality that I respect. Also, it is the type of mentality that allows me to adapt to what I have acquired through my writing experiences.

 

Writing Timeline and Schooling Trajectory

Writing and Student Timeline
My path and the pieces that coincided the most!

Writing Timeline

What did you discover about yourself as a writer?

I currently see myself as a strong writer but there is always room for improvement. As a writer I discovered that I have the ability to live in my writings as if it was a society. Each sentence and paragraph collectively contributes to this society or paper. Also, I am intrigued by the different genres of writing.

Who, if anyone, affected you as a writer?

As a young writer I was affected by the artist and lyricist, Tupac Shakur. Mr. Shakur himself was a poet before he became a rap artist. Through his music I felt as if he opened me up to the world of writing and enabled me to express myself, my environment, and  my current situations through my writings.

What genres do you like to write?

My favorite genres that I enjoy writing are poetry and song lyrics. Poetry and song lyrics coincide with each other. Being that song lyrics are a form of poetry, poetry allows me to express my situation without being blunt about my situation. It makes your mind wander, and what is excitement without curiosity?

How do you get started writing?

Typically, I get started writing by first, brainstorming my main points by using bullets along with examples and supporting details.

Schooling Trajectory

What did you discover about your path through school?

By reflecting on my path through school, I discovered that I paved the way for success through staying focused and making the right decisions the first year of each, Elementary, Middle, and High School.  I also discovered that I have engaged myself in and approached different styles of writing, for example, responding to readings, topics, events, writing poetry, and lastly, social media writing.  

Who if anyone, affected you on your path?

My path was affected by several people. Of course my family affected my path, because without them being consistent with moral and spiritual teachings, I would not have been effective academically. My teachers and counselors affected me as well. Our one to one relationship and understanding of how things are done in their classrooms enabled me to excel in their course. Lastly, my community, organizations and peers affected me.

Who most influenced you? How did this person (these people) affect you?

I received most influence from my family, peers, and mentors, specifically my counselor and coaches. Each one of these groups of people affected me uniquely. They all individually added influence which has led to my current success.

Read back over your reflections and look back at your timeline. What generalizations or discoveries can you make?

When reading back over both my reflections and my timeline, I discovered that the pieces that I have written in or outside of school have positively shaped my path as a student. These pieces have fostered my current interest and knowledge. They have strengthened my vocabulary but most importantly, they have allowed my educational experiences to contribute to my development as a writer.

Brian Okoye: About Me

Management Information Systems and Business Marketing double major from Raleigh, NC.