This first blog post is inspired by a TED Talk I watched years ago — and I keep returning to it, both in my thoughts and in my classes. It’s not exactly a hidden gem; in fact, it’s one of the most watched TED Talks of all time.
I’m talking, of course, about Sir Ken Robinson’s iconic presentation:
👉 “Do Schools Kill Creativity?”
Why this talk still matters
There are two reasons why I keep sharing this video with students.
1. The message: creativity and how we lose it
Creativity is something we all talk about. We want to be more creative, we wonder where our creative spark went, or we assume it’s something only artists and musicians have. But what if — as Sir Ken argues — we’re actually educated out of creativity?
He shares a powerful example of a young girl who couldn’t sit still in class — today, she might be diagnosed with ADHD and medicated. But instead, someone recognised she was a dancer. She went on to found a world-renowned ballet company. The story is funny, moving, and deeply important.
Sir Ken blends personal stories with thoughtful critique, and he backs it up in his books like Creative Schools and You, Your Child, and School. If you’re a parent or educator, both are well worth reading.
But let’s be honest — this isn’t just about kids. It’s about all of us.
2. The delivery: how to give a talk that matters
I recommend this video to my students not just for what it says, but how it says it. Sir Ken Robinson delivers serious content with warmth, humour, and timing that makes you lean in and want more.
He tells stories that make you laugh and pause for thought — and just when you’re caught smiling, he drops a point that hits home. He doesn’t give you an outline at the start or a rigid structure. Instead, he leads you in gently, builds your trust, then challenges you to think differently.
It’s a masterclass in public speaking.
Some personal reflection
Looking back at my own school experience, creativity wasn’t exactly encouraged. The focus was often on ticking boxes, racing through topics, and sorting students into categories. Not because teachers didn’t care — far from it — but because the system didn’t give them much room to do otherwise.
I now see that many teachers were as much victims of that system as students were.
When I talk to my students — teens and adults from all walks of life — I hear similar stories. It makes me wonder: what is the true purpose of education? Is it economic? Personal? Both? Can we really nurture both ends at once?
I’ll let you think about that.
Final thought
If you’ve never seen this TED Talk, I encourage you to watch it — not just as an educator or student, but as someone who was once a child with boundless imagination. And if you have seen it, maybe it’s time to watch it again, with fresh eyes.
Let me know what you think — leave a comment or get in touch.
Cheers,
Lee
🎥 Watch: Do Schools Kill Creativity?