Would da Vinci learn in Todays Classrooms?

The 2007 Edublog Award nominees were just announced this week. Kris Bradburn has a provocative post entitled : How To Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci which has been nominated for most influential post. Inspired by Micheal Gelb's book, How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, she describes the habits and attitudes...the habitudes that separate creative and genius minds from "the rest of us." Yet, as Kris articulately points out, these key habitudes are often ignored by schools and society in general! In her words:

"We kill the spirits of our up-and-coming da Vinci's. These ten things are the most commonly cited characteristics of highly creative people… and they’re heavily discouraged in the early years by the education system and social climate of adolescence. This is why we won’t see another da Vinci for a long, long time - or why, if we do, he/she would not have come from the system we currently have in place. At every turn schools and society are set on pushing back the most creative individuals. Their common traits are not welcomed nor encouraged, and certainly not nurtured. This must not persist, because I think the world is long overdue for another da Vinci-type right now..."

This post struck a chord with me as it reminded me of the following quote by Albert Einstein:

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."

This post begs the question: Has "education"interfered with our children's learning and learning potential? Our students come to us ready, willing, and able to think and operate at the highest intellectual levels. They are ravenous for knowledge, curious about how the world works, and fearless and ready for any new challenge. As years of "education" pass, this capacity for living and learning turn towards ambivalence and obedience.

I would concur, that the habitudes of genius minds like Einstein and da Vinci already exist in our youngest minds. These qualities that propelled the giants of all time are what schools need to nurture and develop for times that lie ahead.  Whether you have have the next Leonardo sitting in your classroom, curiosity, endurance, and fortitude will be the necessary skill set for 21st century success.

So, I pose the following questions to you...

• What are we doing to raise the next generation of minds?
• Is the current path we are taking equipping our students with the habits, behaviors, and attitudes that will afford them success at any level...genius or otherwise?
• If not, what can we do to ensure that we are not "killing off " the next generation of da Vinci's?

Let me hear in the comments or on your blog, how you recognize,resuscitate, and reward the habitudes in your world!

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Comments

[Robyn]

Angela, what great news that these folks are recognized for paving new pathways for change!

My work leads me to folks who want to renew and revitalize. Though many tenured teachers are stuck in comfort zones using traditional teaching approaches, there are folks on the horizon like you, Kris Bradburn and Michael Gleb who pave the way to change and bust the many barriers that hold it back.

I work in revitalization as well by facilitating learners to tap more of the rich resources in thier amazing brains!

The work of pathfinders requires lots of persistence and patience.

[Angela Maiers]

Robyn, it is an honor to be blazing the path with amazing brains like yours. You keep me learning and inspired!

[Ellen Weber]

Thanks for the insights here, Angela! While I am not sure about da Vinci in today's classrooms -- I am sure glad for your influence in the learning field! I know that I could learn lots and enjoy a real adventure in any of your classes!

We'll be engaging a large group of educators soon on this question ... "IF YOU TAUGHT ONE CLASS TO A GENIUS INVENTOR - WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?" We'll guide folks to those differences and try to open the brain facts up that will inspire faculty and students to reach for new results.

Think it will work?

[Angela Maiers]

Ellen, I hope so!!! That is a genius question. In fact my hope is that the answers you get will bring educators to the following question: Why are we not doing this now, with EVERY student? Do share the outcome-I look forward to hearing the responses!