Creative Schools

Starred review from May 1, 2015

Robinson, well known through his presentations, books (e.g., The Element, written with coauthor Aronica), and TED Talks, here continues to outline his vision of schooling. Education, he contends, represents an intricate organism that needs to be treated as an adaptive system that can change to meet the diverse learning styles of students. Current industrially based models and a focus on standardized testing has stripped education of its power to address diversity. Refocusing on the core purposes of education that tap into natural learning abilities is what is needed to reform the field. By outlining persuasive examples, Robinson shows that if we enable students to pursue their own interests, teaching can be transformed into a system that melds disciplines in a way more analogous to the real world. Robinson's passion is clear as he outlines a structure for curriculum and a transformative advocacy plan. While much here refers to previous texts and speeches, the compilation of ideas is fresh and provides a means to empower those already within the system to make changes. VERDICT For readers who are ardent about changing education for the better, believing that they can be part of the forces that will revolutionize the future.--Rachel Wadham, Brigham Young Univ. Libs., Provo, UT

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