I know that I am probably late to the party, but I have just discovered Sir Ken Robinson, guru of creativity. I think that what he has to say about creativity is right on the mark , and especially interesting if you look at it in a educational technology context.

Here is an excerpt fro his bio:

Ken Robinson is an internationally-renowned expert in the field of creativity and innovation in business and education, his visionary consultancy skills employed by governments, major corporations and cultural organizations worldwide.

Born in Liverpool in 1950, he gained a Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of London for research into drama and theatre in education. He was the principal author of "The Arts in Schools: Principles, Practice and Provision", a standard text in the UK and around the world.

From 1985-1989 he was director of The Arts in Schools Project, a major UK initiative to improve the teaching of the arts, and in 1998 was appointed by the British government to chair the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education, the largest ever inquiry into the importance of creativity in education and the economy.

His report, "All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education" (also known as the Robinson Report), had a huge impact on both government and corporate attitudes towards creativity, with the London Times declaring: "This report should have every CEO and human resources director in the country thumping the table and demanding action." He was the central figure in a strategy for creative and economic development in Northern Ireland, where his blueprint for change, Unlocking Creativity, was adopted by Ministers from all parties.

Until 2001, he was Professor of Education at Warwick University in the U.K. and is now Professor Emeritus. He has served as advisor to a succession of high-profile public and private organizations - including the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore, the European Commission, and Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Among other roles he is currently senior advisor to the J. Paul Getty Trust in Los Angeles.

An inspirational business speaker and workshop leader, he was named SfB European Business Speaker of the Year in 2000. His latest book, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative, was published by Wiley-Capstone. In June 2003 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding achievements as a writer, speaker and leader in creativity, the arts and education.

Among current projects he is working with Principal Voice, Ron Pompei on "Catalyzing Creativity" - a forum for the discussion and exchange of ideas on innovation and creativity in business. (http://www.principalvoices.com/voices/ken-robinson-bio.html)

So, what does he have to do with education technology? Listen to him speak in this video from the TED conference from 2006. Now, take his words and add Education TECHNOLOGY in every place where he says “Education.” (Kind of like that game where you add “between the sheets” at the end of your fortune cookie fortune.) I think you will be amazed. I was.

Click here to view the Ken Robinson Video on Creativity.

Let me know what you think of this talk.