UK Needs To Focus More On Teaching Creativity In Schools

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The Education Secretary Nicky Morgan recently spoke at the education campaign launch that aims to encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. During her speech, Morgan commented that when students opt to study conventionally creative subjects like arts and humanities, it limits their career options and prospects. She is the latest addition in the long list of politicians who completely misunderstand the significance and value of creativity. 

Importance of Creativity in Education

 

Studying creativity is not only limited to pursuing “creative” subjects, like English and art, in the classroom. The fact is the basic definition of creative subjects is an inaccurate explanation of what creativity actually means. 

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Here is an example of creativity in schools: Sir Ken Robinson once interviewed Oscar award winning Hans Zimmer. According to the interview, Zimmer was a disorderly child and was repudiated from 8 different schools. In the 9^th school, the head teacher, who tried to get him more engaged in his studied, spoke to him and found out that Zimmer liked music. So the teacher helped him to study music which improved his performance in other academic areas and eventually built his winning career. 

Hollywood composer

This instance goes on to show the importance of creativity in school. The head teacher had an open mind and modified the teaching process to enable Zimmer learn better. Unfortunately, this has now become highly difficult due to strictly regulated teaching methods. 

Need for Making Education Engaging 

 

Localism is a recent popular political trend for bottom-up politics. You can observe it in the support for better devolution, especially among the advocates of constitutional conventions, and also in attempt to propagate patient-led services. Creativity can help to support this trend in education. Educators who have the ability to establish teaching methods in accordance to what our students need and want to learn. The truth is schools offer a rather disruptive experience to many learners, with most students feeling disengaged with the current educational system. 

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This concept focuses on self-determination, which is the basic belief of creativity. It is only with the help of creativity, an individual finds the ability to voice their opinions, whether through creating music like Hans Zimmer or by writing a story or song or through developing some useful software. Moreover, creativity also significantly adds to our economy, contrary to popular belief. 

Creativity and Politics

 

The view of Nicky Morgan on arts and humanities depicts what kind of a large problem the government has with teaching creativity in schools. Michael Gove, former Secretary of State for Education, was rather vocal about how creativity can be achieved only by pursuing formal education. David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has also said that we would prefer to develop a UK film industry which produces blockbuster films like Harry Potter, instead of independent movies. Our beloved politicians have made it clear that the government does not understand what creativity is actually is. 

Creativity is not about compelling students to learn and write grammatically correct paragraphs or producing blockbusters; creativity is about self-determination, innovation and expression. The government should start to see the social, political and economic benefits offered by creative learning as only then they can so some creative thinking. 

What do you think about teaching creativity in schools? Share your concerns and opinions with us by commenting below.

Why Earning A Business Diploma Is So Important For Your Career?

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Wondering whether you should get a college degree or not? If so, then you should know that it is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals without a degree or a diploma to maintain or even get jobs. But going to college is just not enough these days. So what else do you need to boost your career? Let’s find out.... 

“No Degree” Equals “Low Earnings”

 

According to the latest American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, employees, especially in South Florida counties of Palm Beach and Broward, who experienced the lowest decline in income between 2008 and 2013 were the ones who failed to earn a bachelor’s degree but earned a 2 year associate’s degree or at least attended college. 

The study showed the percentage drop in earnings for Palm Beach County was around 10 per cent during the financial recession of 2008; while the drop rate was 7.25 per cent for Broward County. The survey also found that employees with high school diploma experienced an average decline in income of merely 3.8 per cent and 5.7 per cent in Palm Beach and Broward respectively. 

Does A Diploma Mean More Income?

 

In contrast, the American Community Survey discovered that the earnings of college graduates in Palm Beach increased from 2008 to 2013 by 7.6 per cent. However it fell by 2.4 per cent in the county of Broward. In fact, those who completed their graduation earned $14,000 more annually in the both regions than employees who attended 4 year college programme, but were unable to graduate. 

Moral Of The Story?

 

The data from the U.S. Census Bureau goes to show that it literally pays to get a degree. According to Jorge Carrillo-Salazar, Economist and Director of the Center for Economic Research, Florida International University, earning a higher education qualification can help better your financial condition in future. 

Although the economy is improving in most markets worldwide, still employers tend to act fussy and are looking for candidates with a graduate degree or business diploma, even for jobs that traditionally does not require such qualifications. Carrillo-Salazar added “The economy is not generating enough jobs.” 

The fact is numerous laid-off employees are actually going back to college, both on-campus and online, to earn the diploma they failed to acquire previously, according to economist William B. Stronge, a former professor at Florida Atlantic University. He believes that many learners are now pursuing qualifications that are currently in-demand. Stronge said “They recognised they needed more skills.” 

Eugene Holzer, co-founder of job placement firm Ascendo Resources, claims that in most cases the recruiters do not even bother about the majors you studied in college. However it is important that you follow through the discipline and complete your graduation. He believes that this shows you will be steady as an employee. 

What Does It Mean For Your Career?

 

According to the findings of the study, the experts suggest that the best possible way to progress you career is to earn a diploma. Having a higher education qualifications, especially in business, shows that you have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge required for your specific field of work. Perhaps this the reason why innumerable students from across the globe are now pursuing business studies online, as it offers affordable and easily accessible solutions. An online diploma will not only enhance your professional skills, but it also gives confidence to your employer about your abilities. 

If you have been unable to complete your college education, for whatever reason, or if you only have a high school diploma, then pursuing diploma in business online is the most suitable option for you. Studying business will enable you to learn various management and leadership skills and understand the core concepts of business. Moreover, as you will study online, you will be able to continue working on your full time job and still manage time to study for a diploma. 

With an online diploma in business you can boost your employability and add significant value to your resume. Your qualification, along with your work experience, will make you an ideal candidate for numerous jobs as most employers look for business-trained applicants. Moreover as online diplomas are now being accepted by most employers worldwide, you will have a wide range of employment opportunities available to you. This will also provide you the scope to enhance your performance at the workplace and land the next big promotion. 

So what do you think? Will you earn a business diploma to boost your career prospects? Feel free to share your views and thoughts by commenting below. We would love to hear from you.

Why Business Education is Favoured by Entrepreneurs

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Here are a few stories about successful people who used their innovative ideas to create business opportunities and help people all over the world. 

There was a young businessman who had a great passion for different flavours of ice-creams. He needed to travel a lot and it was virtually impossible to carry frozen ice cream along with him. He often wondered if he could transport it in liquid form and later get it solidified. 

Another young flight attendant needed to be up-and-about and had to pack her bags every time she needed to fly. She hated packing. If only there could be a new luggage packing system that would make her life less complicated. 

Working as a freelance writer is not a very easy job when there is a baby crying in the corner of the room. A modern mom silently wished that she could have an app that could interpret what her baby needed every time he cried and that would give her peace of mind and the strength to balance life and work. 

A bride-to-be was never satisfied with shopping in stores or online. None of the clothes seemed to fit her less-than-perfect frame. She fell in love with the mPort, which is a phone-booth sized body scanner that helped her discover her own exclusive vital signs. She also found clothes that were just her size. 

All of these people who were benefitted by these gadgets and discoveries must have praised the people who invented them. The people who made these innovative and helpful things were in fact university graduates who were equipped with the latest tools and skills to become innovative businessmen. Now have a look at what universities have to offer when students approach them for their degrees. 

Approaching the University for A Business Course

 

A university offers more than just a degree. The learning experience is unique as it motivates interested students very naturally and inspires them to invent and become successful entrepreneurs. Look at the areas that universities lay emphasis upon so that they become successful businessmen. 

What Institutions Encourage

 

These institutions encourage design thinking in which creativity is encouraged and they develop a more analytical approach towards business. Very recently universities have started introducing courses in which the students are encouraged to build businesses of their own. They will be assessed on the basis of their innovative ideas and their practical approach. 

The Various Aspects of Business- A Practical Approach 

 

The students have the opportunity to work in a real-life situation and they perform the role of consultants of those clients who are not familiar with the world of business. They have a very clear picture about marketing, market research, value propositions, operational details, management structure, finance structure, infrastructure details and distribution channels. After reading about all these facts a question may come to one’s mind. What happens to students who want to be employed and are not currently interested in a start-up business? 

For Those Who Want A Job- It’s Guaranteed Too!

 

There are also students who aspire to get a job as a senior manager in a company. Universities also encourage such students to prepare themselves for such jobs. They are asked to step outside their comfort zone so that they can develop their entrepreneurship skills which are essential even as a manager. Every company is now focussing on being innovative and thus the employees are being trained accordingly. They have to constantly rethink and re-innovate so that they can change the way they are thinking about their business at the present moment. 

The students are also taught to pay attention to the demands of the market. They are also made aware of the fact that there are possibilities of risks and uncertainty in this world. If they face failures, they should have the courage to start over. This is commonly known as ‘flearning’. 

After reading about these countless possibilities it must be evident that a degree in business is very important and practically useful for anyone who wants to earn a living. Anyone can become an entrepreneur as a manager at work or as an owner of a business.There is only the provision for growth and innovation. The future is here and our choices lie before us. 

For further clarification, leave your queries below.