From the beginning of schooling I have been taught to not make mistakes. The fear of making mistakes is greater than the joy of getting the answer right. I learned the right answer, how to find the right answer the right way and that was that.
There was no room to make mistakes.
This seemed an effective method to teach me how to complete my assignments and reach the conclusion I was required to, fitting for black and white equations in math where 2 + 2 only ever equals 4. However when it comes to the arts, to music, drawing, even speaking in front of the class, creativity is stunted in favor of going with the safe. I would make sure that nothing was "wrong" rather than take any risk that might elevate my work to an even better "correct." I created mediocre work rather than risk failure in pursuit of the possibility of greatness.
Wouldn't the world, wouldn't learning and achievements be better if every student--every person--was willing to risk mistakes, the system willing to catch them, not punishing them for failing but rewarding them for trying?
There was no room to make mistakes.
This seemed an effective method to teach me how to complete my assignments and reach the conclusion I was required to, fitting for black and white equations in math where 2 + 2 only ever equals 4. However when it comes to the arts, to music, drawing, even speaking in front of the class, creativity is stunted in favor of going with the safe. I would make sure that nothing was "wrong" rather than take any risk that might elevate my work to an even better "correct." I created mediocre work rather than risk failure in pursuit of the possibility of greatness.
Wouldn't the world, wouldn't learning and achievements be better if every student--every person--was willing to risk mistakes, the system willing to catch them, not punishing them for failing but rewarding them for trying?