The western education system?

Question

Do you think that American/Canadian education system helps students become more creative or less creative? Give me your opinions. Thanks.

Answer 1

I would have to say that creativity is generally limited. Courses seldom intermingle. When studying English-only English is studied, not it's relationship to how the subject interweaves with other subjects like history, science, or sociology.

Answer 2

The American/Canadian education "system" does neither.

As indicated in earlier answer, top of the line teachers may indeed foster creativity at times. Obviously, creativity, and the emphasis on creativity in the classroom, rests solely with the teacher. Most teachers, unfortunately, are not unusually creative. Therefore, the student is rarely challenged to be creative.

What "is" emphasized is learning by rote, marching in lock-step toward the future like automatons rolling off an assembly line.

And, throughout adult life, most former students will continue to "think" in lock-step.

One example I would offer is how unimaginative, unthinking citizens become slaves to one or another political party. Rarely, if ever, questioning the right or wrong of the party line. One could also put "faith based" adherence to religious teachings and denominations in the same category. There are just too few creative or questioning "minds" in Americana/Canadian society today.

We could do better!

Answer 3

Creativity is difficult to measure. I would say that upper level courses and upper echelon teachers help to stretch kids' minds; beyond that, I don't think we really help it too much. If you force a kid to do something "creative" (Like a science fair project or a group activity, especially if the kid is shy), it's not going to have much of an impact, whereas if you make such projects relatively low key and keep it from impacting grades, some good may be done. More important is exposing kids to a broad amount of concepts with depth; make sure they understand the ins and outs of things like osmotic potential, socialism, and syntax without focusing on minute details. The broad picture inspires creativity; details tend to bring it down. Since the focus these days is on standardization and grades, this creativity is becoming even worse than it already is; we are using inferior tactics and oppressive examinations, a losing combination.That's my rant on it.

Answer 4

Sadly, the NCLB law that was initially designed to improve education has proven to be the albatross around US education's neck. Instead of improving education, it is dumbing it down by emphasizing only the basics and aiming for surface level learning rather than in-depth learning. Instead of promoting higher-level thinking skills and creativity, what is prized now is how to bubble in multiple choice tests on standardized tests so student test scores can be compared to each other.

Answer 5

I asked a similar question the other day. Some people became angry at me. They thought I was insulting sth. That's not true at all. It's simply business, nothing personal. I somehow do not respect the education system in the US. I think it stinks. Let's see what others say.

Answer 6

Less, because they don't prepare you for the future. They teach you about the real world or money management. Not to mention, searching for jobs and stuff like that. I guess the transition into college prepares you for the real world.