Learning facts vs. creativity

Here is an interesting professional development tip from TechLearning.com: "In fact, the world is changing even faster than schools. Instead of requiring workers who've memorized facts, the workplace needs knowledge workers who can think on their own and who are innovative and creative. This shift will require that teachers adapt their teaching methods. The difference between knowledge and information is that information is what you know and knowledge is what you do with that information." Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

I agree and disagree with this statement. An educated person needs a strong informaton base in order to function in the professional world. Memorization is an important part of building this base: In fact, Dr. Yoshiro NakaMats (arguably the most creative individual on the planet) argues for the Japanese education method of memorization up to the age of 20 in order to develop the human brain. See What a Great Idea by Charles "Chic" Thompson. I still find memorization to be an excellent thinking exercise.

In elementary school, I see young students struggle with the creative process, when they lack sufficient factual knowledge of a subject. For example, how can you make a digital story about the Civil War, if you lack an information base. I recall one student came across General John Pope while studying the Second Battle of Bull Run. Naturally, when he did a search on him, he got the Pope. His research project had all kinds of information about the Roman Catholic Pope's role in the battle.

At the same time, I agree with the TechLearning statement that innovation and creativity are the necessary tools for today's workplace. The challenge as an educator is to provide students with sufficient factual knowledge with which to face a world of innovation and creativity.