i've just read a fairly despairing blog post from a friend lamenting what she sees as a dearth of imagination or desire to be imaginative on the part of british schoolkids.

I agree with her that schools have turned into exam factories. I was lucky (in some ways) to go to a selective school where teachers could chuck a few other ideas into the mix because, basically, we were all clever enough to pass the exams without too much effort. in turn we had a bit more freedom to go off and pursue special interests cos we weren't just stuck reciting facts and figures.

so those of us with imaginations had a chance to use them. those who didn't could just go do geography or something.

But is it possible to actually teach imagination? Can you inspire kids to find reading a book enjoyable if it's not in their nature? are the internet/television/iPods/rock em sock em robots to blame for this seeming lack of imagination?

do you think you have a good imagination? do you think it has anything to do with your schooling or upbringing?

DiScuss