The Element

Not Great

What disappointed you about The Element?

The Element is anecdotal, a series of stories with the same outcome. If you want interesting tidbits about a wide variety of well-known people (Arianna Huffington, Matt Groening, etc.) then you will enjoy this book. Unfortunately I expected some actionable items or thought-provoking ideas. About a third of the way through the book I grew tired of the stories and wanted more elaboration but there was very little forthcoming. A disappointment after watching and enjoying Robinson's TED talks.

51 people found this helpful

Listening to Sir Ken

Like many I was first exposed to Ken Robinson from this TED talk. The Element is another book that should be read by leaders and passed around to work groups. It covers much of the same ground as Tribes, or Marcus Buckingham's work on Finding Your Strengths (which I use extensively in my graduate consulting course), but Robinson superior style and engaging personality make his work both enjoyable and always edifying. Where Robinson is at his best is where he makes connections with how our education system impedes students from finding their passions. At the same time, I wished for a deeper dive into our education system (particularly post-secondary education), and for a specific critique (grounded in history and political economy) for how our schools can hinder creativity. You will come away from this book even more depressed about our manic focus on testing, and even more committed to enabling the passions in your colleagues and children.

25 people found this helpful

College professor lecture

He explains that he was forced to write this book because of comment he made at a dinner engagement. That and his college professor comes out when he takes 3 chapters of good information and stretches it tediously out to create a book. He has about an hour of really fantastic information and ideas, and the rest is boring filler. I have seen him on TED, and when limited to a short period of time, he is very enlightening! For this book, I felt like I was back in the lecture hall of a mandatory class.

33 people found this helpful

Looking for meaning in your life?

Are you making lots of money but still feel like you're not doing anything significant in your life? Did you just graduate high school and not sure which major to take or if you should even go to college? Are you midway in college and feel like you're not in the right place? Then this book is for you. Or, if you're just feeling empty in general, listen to the audiobook.

9 people found this helpful

Could be under comedy

Any additional comments?

Just a great book that everyone should read. If you have teenagers moping about with little direction or worse you are a parent driving your children to achieve something - you should read this.

I'm glad Ken Robinson also narrated this. In fact its hard to see how anyone could have got across his dry wit. There are some very funny segments in this book. As well as some very moving ones.

The Element is actually a simple premise. It is explained clearly with some really good stories.

My missing star is explained by the fact that too many of the examples came from the arts. To be completely compelling I think a more diverse set of people and their "element's" are needed.

16 people found this helpful

Wonderful narration, fascinating ideas

Any additional comments?

The Element is a fascinating book that is excellently narrated by the author, Ken Robinson.

The beginning part that talked about education was particularly interesting to me as I am studying to be a teacher. Robinson also discussed facets of finding your Element, like finding your "Tribe" that were very interesting. The book isn't really a self-help guide that necessarily leads you to find your own Element, but it helps you understand the concept around finding your Element and provides encouragement and hope that it's possible. Frankly, I'm glad the book didn't purport to be a one size fits all guide to finding your passion. That is a unique journey for every individual and can't be prescribed; that's point, that it's different for everyone. Robinson introduced ideas about creativity and finding your passion and gave examples of what has worked for some individuals.

Robinson describes a number of people who have found their "Element" or passion in life. Most of the examples focused on famous people like John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Arianna Huffington, Bob Dylan, etc. I found the occasional stories about "normal" people refreshing as well as the discussion on the dedicated amateurs - people who find their Element in something other than their profession. I realize that it's easy to find examples of individuals finding the Element when they become famous, because everyone knows about them. It felt a little one sided as a result, almost as if you have to be famous to find your element. I don't think that was Robinson's intention, and I realize it's hard to find individual stories from non-famous people, because you don't know about them.

Overall I loved the book and found it very thought provoking. It was a wonderful read/listen and I would highly recommend it.

6 people found this helpful

Happier

I am a teacher. Last year, I attended the funeral of a student. At what point do we stop cramming test prep and provide the fertile ground necessary for kids (and teachers) to do what they love and to thrive? It does no good to strive to meet the expectations of others when their expectations are miles off the mark.

Poetry, music, drama, art, discovering the beauty of science, the mind of the cartoonist, the depths and the universality of math. There's so much joy in being alive and in learning.

It's vital to bring that to life in class.

Thank you for this book, Ken Robinson.

4 people found this helpful

Essential reading for parents and teachers

Ken Robinson has done the education world a huge favor by writing this book. He deftly outlines the reasons and ways that education has to change. The sooner we do it, the better. Reading the Element made me glad both of my children attend untraditional, progressive schools that live by the basic tenets of Robinson's philosophy. Great teachers everywhere will agree.

9 people found this helpful

Stick with it, it's worth it!

The early chapters, while interesting and well read, were all stuff I had heard before. But the last chapter...well, THAT's worth FIVE stars.

I am a high school librarian and I have been struggling to find a new vision as I enter my 20th year of teaching, and worry about my grandchildren's future. Between our failing economy, potential climate change and the new "free" culture of the Internet I have been finding it difficult to see where we are heading. The last chapter of this book helped me see a potential direction. Thank you for helping me RE-find my 'element' Ken!

18 people found this helpful

A book everyone should read.

This is a book I am ready to start handing out at airports, as it eloquently articulates some of the fundamental socioeconomic issues of the Western World (particularly the US) due to our failing school system. He explains the problem is systemic — the entire schema of teaching in a top-down, industrialized, mass-production model that is so focused on teaching content is outmoded and irrelevant for today's economy, never mind tomorrow's. Educating kids in a way that is relevant and effective for them requires us to teach to the individual, not a standardized test — teaching them how to become life learners in areas that play to their strengths is the key.

The fact that he reads this himself adds a great deal, as he is a great speaker. Also hilarious.

3 people found this helpful