During the EPIC Summit, there was a forum where panelists discussed innovation and creativity in education.
As humans, we have an inherent need to be playful. Creativity is a combination of novelty and what we already know, and is rooted in playfulness. People are playful and creative as children, but they begin to lose confidence in their creative abilities as they grow, and even look down on the notion of play.
Formal education fails to place importance on music and the arts, yet they help students develop skills they will need; in essence, these are skills that are good for job training. While there are education programs that are creative, many are still very traditional and formulated. This leaves us in a position where only a minority of students are comfortable working in environments with no rules; the overwhelming majority are uncomfortable when they do not have set rules to follow. This is a clear indication most students are not graduating with the abilities they need in a world where creativity is increasingly seen as a high-demand skill.
It is vital to understand the significance of the learning process. A large number of students have a fear of failure. To be better-prepared as adults, students must have opportunities to practice what they are learning and the ability to experiment and fail. The world is changing quickly, and the things students are learning today will be completely replaced in 10 years.
Solid creativity and problem-solving skills are necessary so people can adapt when they are faced with unavoidable change.
What trends are you seeing or noticing in your life regarding the arts and education?