There has been much debate as to how children should be taught through school. The current "directing manual" or "rule-book" that holds the instructions for British education is the national curriculum. The national curriculum lays out for schools in Britain what children should be taught, and what they are expected to know by a certain age or stage in their life. All standard government funded schools are expected to follow this legislation, and all the laws that are held within.
But
Is this method of education the best way for children to learn? The National Curriculum is a very generalised approach. It expects children all to be following a stereotypical view and to achieve what is expected of them because of their age, etc. This isn't always true, as all children are unique and differ in their own individual ways.
The way teachers approach their subject(s) has a massive effect upon what and how the children actually learn through a school year. Teachers are facilitators... they are a fountain of knowledge, of which children are expected to drink from to be nourished. They are solely responsible for the education and teaching of the national curriculum to children. I don't think its fair that the development and education of a child is so dependent upon the skills of someone else; what if the teacher isn't good enough, muddles up two different definitions, or falls badly ill in the last month before exams? There is so much of a child's education within the national curriculum that they can't control. Which can impact how a child develops, and, whether or not they reach their true potential.
Ken Robinson states in this 'Ted Talks' video that schools kill creativity. He raises three main themes which explain: Firstly he states how evident creativity is in humanity; secondly that it is unclear where education is leading you, or what it will be useful for in life; Lastly, kids have a great built-in ability to be innovative.
This shows how much standard education through the national curriculum can limit this huge capacity for creativity that children have. It also doesn't take into account that this creativity is also a massive form of intelligence; an individual and unique intelligence. This is in danger of being dampened down or smudged out completely to create the "stereotypically" intelligent individual. Some people may be academically bright and may flourish through this subject based national curriculum style education and go on to get a well paid job. Where as others may not be academically bright, but this doesn't mean they're stupid. Instead, they may have talents in other areas like art, dancing, or music. If this intelligence is nurtured and given the same opportunities as the normal academic route, it could lead to great prospects and a just as well paid and enjoyable future. Just because something works for one child of a certain age, it doesn't mean it will work for another child of the same age. So lets lift off this mould that has been created for children to fall into or boundaries that they have to act within, children have to so much potential already built in from birth, creative potential, lets not overlook this for there isn't one true and right way to be or right route to follow. Let's be creative with it!
References:
Sir, Robinson K. (2006). How Schools Kill Creativity. Available: http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity#t-127669. Last accessed 09/03/2014.
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