In a recent meeting with a client, the name of Ken Robinson was mentioned, whom I had never heard of. His Ted talk was the first Ted talk to go viral, back in 2006 – it’s fantastic and a great example of an interesting perspective delivered really well (with at times a great comedic delivery).
His belief is that our education system remains stubbornly rooted in the 19th century, and is structured to stifle creativity. I then listed to an interview with him 2021 and I’ve pulled out some of the key points he raised:
The Factory Model: Why Our Schools Are Stuck in the Past
Our education system was deliberately designed to mirror factories during the Industrial Revolution – bell-driven scheduled, 40 minute periods with separated subjects and kids in age-group separated groups. While this model served its purpose in creating a workforce for manufacturing jobs, it’s out of step with today’s world.
“The system is actually changing very rapidly and radically at the grassroots level,” Robinson notes, pointing to pioneering schools that are breaking free from these industrial-age constraints. Take Feversham, a school in northern England that transformed its performance by introducing extensive music and drama programmes. Or High Tech High in California, where rigid timetables have been replaced with project-based learning and collaborative work.
Beyond STEM: The Case for a Balanced Education
While politicians push for more focus on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Robinson argues for a more nuanced approach. Yes, these subjects are crucial, but not at the expense of arts, humanities, and physical education. As he points out, even tech giants like Apple and Google rely heavily on design, creativity, and artistic innovation.
“Science is deeply and sensationally creative at its heart,” Robinson emphasises. The key isn’t to choose between arts and sciences, but to recognise that creativity and innovation flow through all disciplines.
Technology: Tool, Not Solution
In an age where knowledge is instantly accessible through our smartphones, what should schools actually teach? Robinson suggests that while technology has transformed access to information, it’s not a complete answer to educational reform. “I’ve seen schools where kids are spending seven hours a day at computer terminals, and it’s a tragic thing to be doing to young people,” he warns.
Instead, he advocates for a balanced approach where technology enhances rather than replaces human interaction. Children need time looking into each other’s eyes, working in groups, and engaging in play – activities that develop crucial social and emotional skills.
The Personal Journey of Learning
Perhaps the most powerful insight from Robinson’s interview is his emphasis on personalisation. Drawing from his own experience – from a special education school to becoming a leading educational thinker – he highlights how individual attention and belief in a student’s potential can transform lives.
“Every human life is different, unique and unrepeatable,” he says. This understanding should be at the heart of education reform. Rather than pushing all students through the same standardised process, schools should help discover and nurture individual talents.
The Race Against Time
Robinson shares a sobering quote from H.G. Wells: “Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe.” With unprecedented challenges facing humanity – from climate change to artificial intelligence – the need to transform education has never been more urgent.
Yet his message is ultimately hopeful. Around the world, schools are beginning to break free from industrial-age constraints. Teachers are finding ways to nurture creativity and individual talent even within traditional systems. Change is happening, albeit not as quickly as many would like.
Moving Forward
So what can we do? Robinson suggests several paths:
- For teachers: Remember that when your classroom door closes, you are the education system for your students. There’s more room for innovation than you might think.
- For parents: Get involved in your school community and support efforts to introduce more balanced, creative approaches to learning.
- For everyone: Challenge our assumptions about what education should look like. The factory model may have served its purpose, but it’s time for something new.
As we face an increasingly uncertain future, the quality of education we provide today will shape humanity’s ability to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. In Robinson’s words, “Our task is to educate their whole being so they can face this future… our job is to help them make something of it.”
Here is his original Ted Talk:
and the more recent interview
