Dr. Sanjay Arora - Unleashing Creativity in Education | Dr. Sanjay Arora | TEDxISH

Impact of Arithmophobia and Flawed Education System on Creativity

• The speaker's poor performance in mathematics during their 12th class, scoring only 9 out of 100, was due to arithmophobia, a fear of numbers, which still affects them today (33s).
• This experience led to the realization that the education system is flawed, particularly in its approach to creativity, which is often suppressed as students progress through their education (2m7s).
• The education system's emphasis on standardization and conformity can stifle creativity, as evidenced by the fact that kindergarteners and first graders can come up with over 50 different answers to a simple question, while older students are often limited to just one "right" answer (2m48s).
• Children are naturally creative and can think outside the box, but this ability is often lost as they progress through their education and are taught to see things in a more rigid and conventional way (3m33s).
• Research suggests that the human brain has two distinct parts, the left and right, which are responsible for different functions, and that both are important for creativity and problem-solving (3m46s).
• The suppression of creativity in education can be seen as a loss of the natural abilities that people are born with, and it is essential to find ways to nurture and encourage creativity in students (3m44s).

The Dichotomy of the Brain and Its Impact on Education

• The brain is often divided into two parts: the left side for logic and the right side for creativity, music, and other sensual aspects, but this division is not absolute (4m4s).
• From kindergarten, students are initially taught through motor activities, but as they progress, the focus shifts to mental activities, with the rest of the body only supporting the left brain (4m22s).

Loss of Creativity in Children Due to Societal Influences

• Children are naturally creative, as seen when they look at clouds and imagine different shapes and patterns, but this creativity is often lost as they grow up and are influenced by technology and societal expectations (4m44s).
• Many people from corporations and institutes pay large sums of money for creativity sessions, but this is often an attempt to rekindle a spark that has been lost due to the emphasis on logic and left-brain thinking (5m12s).
• The education system can be seen as "unschooling" children, where they are taught to rely heavily on logic and suppress their creative side, only to be expected to be creative later in life (5m23s).
• This approach is likened to a bird with two wings, where one wing (creativity) is tied down during schooling, and then expected to fly with both wings later in life, which is not possible (5m30s).

Anecdotes and Experiments Highlighting the Decline of Creativity

• A personal anecdote is shared about a vacation in Goa, where the speaker's young son pointed out a sunset and compared it to a half-fried egg, demonstrating the natural creativity and imagination of children (6m28s).
• An experiment is mentioned where a school inspector asks students in different grades if they consider themselves artists, and the percentage of positive responses decreases as the grade level increases, showing how creativity is lost as children grow up (7m13s).
• The concept of a "closet artist" exists because people, especially students, are often discouraged from openly expressing their artistic side in academic settings (7m59s).
• Albert Einstein credited his artistic and musical pursuits for his inspiration and success, and believed that everyone is a genius, but societal expectations can make people feel otherwise (8m23s).

Outdated Education System and Its Disconnection from the Future

• The education system is often compared to a "second-rate Factory style organization" that provides outdated information and teaching methods, according to futurist Alvin Toffler (9m8s).
• Schools are disconnected from the future of the children they are responsible for, and this disconnection can have severe consequences for students who will retire in the year 2080 (9m23s).
• The rapid advancement of technology, particularly AI, makes it difficult to predict what the future holds, and the jobs that will be available, even in the next three years (10m0s).
• As a result, education should focus on developing tools that will remain relevant in the future, such as human imagination, rather than solely focusing on traditional subjects (10m41s).
• Unfortunately, the current education system often stifles human imagination and creativity, which is essential for success in an uncertain future (10m48s).

The Importance of Unstructured Time for Creativity

• Research has shown that students often report having the most freedom and enjoyment during unstructured time, such as their daily bus commute, where they are not supervised (11m2s).
• Even extracurricular activities, such as art and music classes, are often highly structured, leaving students with little time for free expression and creativity (11m37s).
• Traditional education often restricts creativity by imposing strict rules, such as painting within the lines, and does not allow students to express themselves freely (11m42s).
• A typical school day is highly structured, with eight lectures and little time for students to do what they want, which can stifle creativity (11m52s).
• Creating a room with no structure at all, where students can express themselves freely, can be beneficial for their creative growth (12m3s).
• In London, there is a concept called the "Mudar" where children are allowed to play outside, which is essential for their development and was a natural part of childhood in the past (12m26s).
• Unstructured time, such as playing outside, is essential for brain growth and development (12m50s).

Regimentation in Education and Its Stifling Effect

• There is immense regimentation in education, with strict rules and uniforms, which can suppress creativity and questioning (12m53s).
• Google's decision to give employees a "fun month" to do what they want has led to many innovative ideas and products (13m21s).
• Many inventions, such as the Benzene formula, have been discovered during unstructured time, such as in sleep or while daydreaming (13m42s).
• The discovery of the molecular structure of benzene by Kekulé was inspired by a dream he had, which shows the power of the subconscious mind (13m56s).
• The story of Archimedes' discovery of the principle of buoyancy while taking a bath is another example of how unstructured time can lead to innovative ideas (14m23s).

The Power of the Subconscious Mind and Unstructured Time in Innovation

• The subconscious mind is a powerful tool that can provide answers and inspire creativity when given the time to relax and think freely (14m46s).
• The example of Jillian Lyn, a girl who was considered hyperactive and was expelled from school, but went on to achieve great things, highlights the importance of embracing individuality and creativity (14m57s).
• A mother took her daughter to a counselor after the school threatened to remove the girl due to her hyperactivity, but the counselor discovered the girl was a dancer and advised the mother to put her in a dancing school, illustrating the concept of kinetic learning (15m35s).
• The girl went on to become a successful musical producer in Hollywood, attending the Royal School of Ballet in the UK, and eventually becoming a millionaire/billionaire, highlighting the importance of finding the right educational path for individuals with unique talents (16m11s).

The Industrial Revolution's Influence on the Current Education System

• The traditional schooling system was developed during the Industrial Revolution to produce people with degrees who could get jobs, but this system is still in place today, prioritizing degrees over education (16m44s).
• There is a caste system in schools, with subjects like mathematics and science being valued more highly than humanities and the arts, which are often seen as less important (17m10s).
• This caste system can be detrimental to students who excel in areas like art, dance, or drama, as they may be seen as having limited utility to the school (18m2s).

The Caste System in Schools and Its Impact on Students

• Imagination and inspiration are essential for creativity and problem-solving, but the current education system and workplace environments often stifle these qualities, instead emphasizing rigid structures and productivity (18m21s).
• Even offices are designed to resemble cubicles, where every second is measured and employees are expected to be constantly productive, leading to a lack of enjoyment and creativity in the workplace (18m42s).

The Importance of Questioning Authority

• Authority figures in education, such as teachers in India, often create a bottleneck that discourages questioning and critical thinking, with parents also discouraging children from questioning these figures, viewing it as rude (19m2s).
• Questioning authority is essential for progress and the evolution of knowledge, as seen in the example of Einstein questioning Newton's theories, leading to the development of the theory of relativity (19m27s).
• Many authority figures have made incorrect predictions and statements in the past, such as Lord Kelvin saying that heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible, and the chief of patents saying that everything that can be invented has been invented (19m44s).
• These examples illustrate the importance of questioning authority figures and not being afraid to challenge their ideas, as this is a sign of respect and a working mind (20m23s).
• The horse and buggy industry was also resistant to change, with the president of the Michigan Bank saying that the automobile is only a novelty, highlighting the need to be open to new ideas and not be limited by conventional thinking (20m31s).

Fostering Creativity Through Broad Knowledge and Openness to New Ideas

• To foster creativity, it is essential to have a broad range of knowledge and interests, and to be open to new and unrelated ideas, as the mind is a synthesis machine that can make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts (20m57s).
• The subconscious mind plays a significant role in the creative process, and many people find that their best ideas come when they are not actively thinking about a problem, such as when showering or walking (21m12s).
• Curiosity is often cited as the mother of invention, but frustration with the status quo can also be a powerful driver of creativity, as it motivates individuals to find new solutions and build something new (21m35s).